# NTSB LAX91LA193: Bell 47G3B1, N304JD, Yuma, AZ, May 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1991, 20:15 local (May 7, 1991, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.683117, -114.65925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6831&lon=-114.6593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA193

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A BELL 47G3B1 LOST POWER AND COLLIDED WITH TREES IN AN ORCHARD.  THE HELICOPTER HAD COMPLETED AERIAL SPRAYING OF 60 ACRES OF CITRUS TREES. AT THE END LAST PASS THE ENGINE QUIT AT TREE TOP LEVEL. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED THE HELICOPTER INTO THE TREES.  THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT ONE HOUR AND 45 MINUTES.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED THE HELICOPTER CONTAINED 25 GALLONS OF FUEL AT THE LAST TAKEOFF.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM WAS EXAMINED BY THE OPERATOR.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT LESS THAN ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N304JD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3598
- Airframe hours: 13629
- Engines: LYCOMING VO435A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Sundown Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sundown Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1991, 68 hours before
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, CA
- Airport: YUM, Yuma Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,408 total, 4,700 in this make and model, 12,885 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19910506014429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910506014429A), May 6, 1991: Bell 47G3B1, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit at end of pass over orchard. Autorotated into trees. Less than one gallon fuel on board.

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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