# NTSB FTW83FA311: Bell 47G-2, N2495B, Bethany, OK, July 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 19:05 local (Jul 3, 1983, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Bethany, OK
- Coordinates: 35.499912, -97.640129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4999&lon=-97.6401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA311

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND ROLLED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT HAD BEEN TAKINGPASSENGERS UP FOR SIGHT-SEEING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. AFTER THE LAST FLT HE AND HIS WIFE HAD DEPARTED THE CITY PARK TO FLY BACK TO THE ACFT HOME BASE. ABOUT 2 MILES LATER THE ENGINE FAILED. DUE TO STRONG WINDS THE PLT COULD NOT REACH A VACANT SCHOOL YARD AND CRASHED INTO TREES. THE ACFT ENGINE HAD A HISTORY OF OIL USE; ABOUT ONE QUART OF OIL PER HOUR. THE PLT STATED HE HAD FLOWN OVER AN HOUR SINCE CHECKING THE OIL. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE OIL TANK WAS CHECKED AND FOUND EMPTY. THE TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE. THE MANNER OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF AN OIL DEPLETION FAILURE WITH SOME AREAS OF DAMAGE SHOWING SIGNS OF EXTREME OVERHEATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2495B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2495B-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 1476, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1476
- Airframe hours: 7052
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: G & C Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1982
- Destination: ELGIN, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 735 total, 10 in this make and model, 495 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 1 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 19830702074329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702074329A), Jul 2, 1983: Bell 47G2, Bethany, OK, Destroyed. Lost engine due to connecting rod failure from lack of oil. Crash landed in residential area. Engine used oil.

## Other investigations on N2495B (2)

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 CHI72FET06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FET06), Aug 18, 1971: Bell 47G-2 (N2495B), Laporte, IN, destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X1728](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1728), May 11, 1964: Bell 47G2 (N2495B), Huntington Bc, CA, 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.

---
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.