- Date
- February 16, 1990, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place
- Redlands, CA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N11HUBell 47B3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Status
- Completed · report September 28, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19900216002489A
- Case key
- 26737
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat when warrented by conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The operator borrowed the helicopter from the owner under a verbal stipulation that automotive fuel would not be used. The accident helicopter was not approved for automotive gasoline under the provisions of an STC. However, the operator was known to refuel his helicopters with auto gas. The purpose of the flight was to eradicate frost from citrus trees. After refueling, the helicopter lost power and descended striking wires and trees. The operator drained the fuel from the helicopter on the ground and transported it to his facility. The accident was reported four days later. Examination of the fuel system revealed a small quantity of fuel with evidence of auto gas. Laboratory analysis of fuel sample revealed sample had the same aromatic qualities as auto gas. According to the FAA, the onset of carburetor ice will occur quicker with auto gas than with aviation fuel. Weather conditions were conducive to frost forming on fruit trees.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N11HU
- Reported as
- Bell 47B3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 11
- Airframe hours
- 12,000
- Engine
- Franklin 6V4 200 C32, 210 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Zimlock Helicopters
- Registered owner
- Poulos, Randell B
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 11, 1990 · 70 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 32
- Certificates
- Private, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Unknown
- Seat
- Left
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SBD, 9 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.