- Date
- October 5, 1982, 08:47 local (14:47 UTC)
- Place
- Nr. Englewood, CO
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N204ZBell 47G3B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 5, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19821005051099A
- Case key
- 72055
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Pilot was practicing maneuvers for certification test. He said he made a precautionary landing due to suspected engine trouble and a fire started under the aircraft in the grass. He exited the aircraft but left battery and radio on. This investigation included references to sabotage from a former employer, to arson by the pilot. Pilot was given a lie detection test which did not clear him. Pilot had also left emergency fuel shutoff valve open. Pilot was tested in the arson investigation because he had been overheard in remarks "its okay if it burns. We have plenty of insurance" and "the best thing that could happen to a helicopter is that it burn itself up". No evidence was received for ignition source or fuel source because of condition of wreckage. Some of the pertinent valves and lines were destroyed. Both fueltanks were intact but empty.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N204Z
- Reported as
- Bell 47G3B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 3449
- Airframe hours
- 16,085
- Engine
- Lycoming TVO-435-A1A, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- Energy Air, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Falcon Leasing
- Departed
- C · Englewood, CO
- Destination
- C · Englewood, CO
- Airport
- APA · Arapahoe County
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 31
- Certificates
- Commercial, Airline transport, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 5,300 total · 65 in this make and model · 4,900 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Temperature
- 142 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N204Z · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.