# NTSB DEN88LA135: Bell 47G, N2243W, Terry, MT, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1988, 19:55 local (Jun 25, 1988, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Terry, MT
- Location: 46.7922° N, 105.3125° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Terry, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7922&lon=-105.3125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA135

## 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
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FERRY FLIGHT FROM ALPINE, WY. TO BELFIELD, ND. THE PLT DEPARTED ALPINE AT APPROXIMATELY 0950 AND MADE SEVERAL ENROUTE STOPS TO REFUEL. THE PLT INTENDED TO LAND AT MILES CITY, MT TO REFUEL BUT HE GOT LOST AND FLEW TO TERRY, MT, LOCATED 38 MILES EAST OF MILES CITY. THE PLT STATED HE EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE AND EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING THE PLT HAD TO AVOID PWR LINES, THUS LOSING ROTOR RPM. THE ACFT LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED SEVERAL QUARTS OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2243W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2243W-2003-11-13), registration cancelled 2003-11-13, S/N 6755, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (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: 6755
- Airframe hours: 6957
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: High Country Helicopters
- Registered owner: High Country Helic. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1988, 61 hours before
- Departed: GEY, GREYBULL, WY
- Destination: MLS, MILES CITY, MT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,430 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 16,430 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 305° at 30 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19880624025849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880624025849A), Jun 24, 1988: Bell 47G3B2, Terry, MT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Lost rotor RPM during autorotation while clearing wires. Fell vertically to the ground.

## Other investigations on N2243W (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 ATL00LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA086), Sep 9, 2000: Bell 47G-3B-2 (N2243W), Pine Hill, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to remove the tie down.
- [NTSB FTW97LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA319), Aug 19, 1997: Bell 47G-3B-2 (N2243W), Montrose, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to properly supervise the flight and ensure that adequate rotor rpm was maintainted during the autorotation/landing. The high density altitude was a related…
- [NTSB SEA81DYM48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYM48), Sep 30, 1981: Bell 47G3B1 (N2243W), Albany, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA80DYM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYM29), Mar 28, 1980: Bell 47G-3B (N2243W), Albany, OR, 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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