# NTSB ERA10CA001: Bell 47D1, N74004, Dorrance, PA, October 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 2, 2009, 10:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Dorrance, PA - Coordinates: 41.083332, -75.966667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0833&lon=-75.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74840/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74840 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA001 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=1180802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47D1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1180802), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=1180802), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell 47D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1180802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47D1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1180802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of his helicopter "including checking fuel tank was full and without water or other contaminants." The cross country flight was estimated to be one hour and forty-five minutes. Based upon past performance and lack of guidance from the manufacturer, he determined that the helicopter consumed about 13 gallons-per-hour, resulting in a total consumption of 22.8 gallons of fuel, which would leave approximately 6 gallons remaining in the 29-gallon fuel system. After one hour and twenty five minutes of flight time and approximately 5 nautical miles from the destination airport, the engine quit suddenly. The pilot performed an autorotation maneuver; however, the tail boom impacted a dirt and stone pile causing substantial damage to the tail boom. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that "the fuel tank was empty" and a "small amount of fuel was found in both the carburetor and the gascolator." Samples from both were verified to be free of water or contaminants. A slight indication of blue fuel stain was found at the fitting for the fuel line which connects the fuel tank and the carburetor. Additional inspection and testing was performed by the helicopter’s Airframe and Powerplant maintenance technician twelve days after the accident in an effort to determine the origin of the fuel leak; however, the results were inconclusive. Fuel stains were noted on the carburetor around the split line of the two body halves, and around the fuel strainer screen on the left side. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of his helicopter "including checking fuel tank was full and without water or other contaminants." The cross country flight was estimated to be one hour and forty-five minutes. Based upon past performance and lack of guidance from the manufacturer, he determined that the helicopter consumed about 13 gallons-per-hour, resulting in a total consumption of 22.8 gallons of fuel, which would leave approximately 6 gallons remaining in the 29-gallon fuel system. After one hour and twenty five minutes of flight time and approximately 5 nautical miles from the destination airport, the engine quit suddenly. The pilot performed an autorotation maneuver; however, the tail boom impacted a dirt and stone pile causing substantial damage to the tail boom. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that "the fuel tank was empty" and a "small amount of fuel was found in both the carburetor and the gascolator." Samples from both were verified to be free of water or contaminants. A slight indication of blue fuel stain was found at the fitting for the fuel line which connects the fuel tank and the carburetor. Additional inspection and testing was performed by the helicopter’s Airframe and Powerplant maintenance technician twelve days after the accident in an effort to determine the origin of the fuel leak; however, the results were inconclusive. Fuel stains were noted on the carburetor around the split line of the two body halves, and around the fuel strainer screen on the left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74004](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74004), registered now, S/N 403, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47D1 - Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 403 - Airframe hours: 9389 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4 SERIES 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: House Guy C - Registered owner: House Guy C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2009 - Departed: Castle Creek, NY - Destination: KHZL, Hazelton, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 387 total, 316 in this make and model, 343 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: kavp, 20 nm away ## 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 20091002049919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091002049919A), Oct 2, 2009: Bell 47D1, Hazleton, PA, Minor damage. Pilot was flying approximately 1500 ft AGL when the engine quit. He autorotated into an old portion of a quarry, landing on some piles of stone and dirt. The… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74840. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF - Maintenance Inspection and Test Report (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Inspection%20and%20Test%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by Aircraft Owner/ Pilot. View Showing Stains on Carburetor. (item 5, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20Aircraft%20Owner%2F%20Pilot.%20View%20Showing%20Stains%20on%20Carburetor.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.