# NTSB LAX87LA261: Bell H-13, N11HU, Mojave, CA, June 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1987, 07:37 local (14:37 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.069351, -118.179855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0694&lon=-118.1799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA261

## 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)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL. THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT ONTO SOFT TERRAIN. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERRED THE TAIL ROTOR FROM THE BOOM. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT HE HAD RUN THE ACFT OUT OF FUEL AND WAS MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO MOVE THE ACFT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE OWNER THE ACFT WAS FOUND EMPTY OF FUEL. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED. THE PLT HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO REMOVE THE ACFT PRIOR TO NOTIFYING THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N11HU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL H-13
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11
- Engines: FRANKLIN 47D-1 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reid Helicopters
- Registered owner: Reid, Lonnie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: L71, CALIFORNIA CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 171 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 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 19870627062669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870627062669A), Jun 27, 1987: Bell 47B3, Mojave, CA, Substantial damage. The helicopter made a forced landing after the engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The tail boom was severed.

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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