# NTSB DEN84LA187: Bell 47G-4, N73276, Pine, CO, June 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1984, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Pine, CO
- Coordinates: 39.520393, -105.29911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5204&lon=-105.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND AFTER APRX 15 MINUTES FLT TIME WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT AUTOROTATED INTO AN OPEN FIELD.ACCORDING TO THE FAA ONLY ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE ACFT FUEL TANKS. THE PLT SAID HE PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN THE FUEL GAGES. THE ACFT HAS A FUEL CAPACITY OF OVER 61 GALLONS, OF WHICH ABOUT 4 GALLONS ARE UNUSABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73276 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3135
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 261 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ptarmigan Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 42CO, EVERGREEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19840619029809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840619029809A), Jun 19, 1984: Bell STC47, Pine, CO, Substantial damage. Rellying only on fuel gauges resulted in fuel exhaustion and a hard emergency landing in a field.

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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