# NTSB DEN83LA002: Bell 47G3B, N204Z, Nr. Englewood, CO, October 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1982, 08:47 local (14:47 UTC)
- Place: Nr. Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580898, -104.859329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5809&lon=-104.8593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA002

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - sabotage - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - sabotage - not identified, other person (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204Z-2002-10-04), registration cancelled 2002-10-04, S/N 3449, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3449
- Airframe hours: 16085
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821005051099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821005051099A), Oct 5, 1982: Bell 47G3B, Englewood, CO, Destroyed. Pilot made precautionary landing and helicopter caught fire and burned. Loose fuel line was discovered.

## Other investigations on N204Z (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA73FTA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FTA06), Apr 23, 1973: Bell 47G-3B (N204Z), Billings, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA72FTA17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FTA17), Apr 27, 1972: Bell 47G-3B (N204Z), Harlowton, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA69F0341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0341), Jan 18, 1969: Bell 47G-3B (N204Z), Kingsport, TN, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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