# NTSB LAX87LA222: Bell 47G-3B-1, N73916, Payson, AZ, June 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1987, 09:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.189075, -111.170524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1891&lon=-111.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - not engaged (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A BELL 47G-3B-1 COLLIDED WITH TREES AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER A LOSS OF POWER IN A REMOTE WILDERNESS AREA. THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE DURING FLIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN ENGINE RPM BY MANIPULATION OF THE THROTTLE. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO ENTER AUTOROTATION. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO ENTER TREES DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY THE FAA. THE EXAMINING INSPECTOR STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH CONTROL CONTINUITY OF THE HELICOPTERS THROTTLE LINKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73916](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73916-1988-11-23), registration cancelled 1988-11-23, S/N 2805 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2805
- Airframe hours: 3808
- Engines: LYCOMING TV0-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sherrill Farms, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sherrill, Charles B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1986, 22 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,145 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870602021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870602021119A), Jun 2, 1987: Bell 47G3B1, Payson, AZ, Destroyed. Lost engine power. Autorotated to canyon floor. Struck trees and impacted upside down. Aircraft destroyed by fire.

## Other investigations on N73916 (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 SEA68A0021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0021), Jul 29, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N73916), West Glacier, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA66A0072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66A0072), Jun 30, 1966: Bell 47G3B1 (N73916), Livingston, MT, 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.

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