# NTSB DEN87LA120: Bell 47G3B2A, N58131, Brigham City, UT, May 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1987, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Brigham City, UT
- Coordinates: 41.510375, -112.040168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5104&lon=-112.0402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA120

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AN AG PLT WAS FERRYING A HELICOPTER TO ANOTHER JOB IN HIS LOCAL AREA. THE PLT, AN ATP, HAD ESTIMATED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE FLT. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE QUIT AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL SPILL WAS FOUND. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE OBJECTS KEPT THE FUEL DRAIN PETCOCK OPEN DURING FLT, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD USED THE FUEL DRAIN PETCOCK TO RINSE CHEMICALS OFF HIS HANDS JUST PRIOR TO THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58131](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58131-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 6865, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (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: 6865
- Airframe hours: 7122
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-FIA 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helo-Wood Helicopters Incorp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986, 71 hours before
- Departed: PARADISE, UT
- Destination: U27, TREMONTON, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,400 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870508082789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870508082789A), May 8, 1987: Bell 47G3B2A, Brigham City, UT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel while ferrying ag helicopter to a new site. Pilot stated a stuck fuel drain may have leaked fuel.

## Other investigations on N58131 (4)

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 SEA93LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA034), Dec 7, 1992: Bell 47G3-B2A (N58131), Montpelier, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LEAKING INTERNAL CARBURETOR SEALS, RESULTING FROM IMPROPER REPAIR OF THE CARBURETOR BY AN ACFT REPAIR STATION.
- [NTSB SEA76FYG50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYG50), May 10, 1976: Bell 47G-3B (N58131), Spokane, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN74DQA42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA42), Apr 30, 1974: Bell 47G3B2 (N58131), Farmington, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN74DQA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA06), Jul 11, 1973: Bell 47G3B2 (N58131), Luna, NM, substantial damage

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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