# NTSB LAX91LA363: Bell 47G, N4062G, Kettleman City, CA, August 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1991, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Kettleman City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.050956, -119.989227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0510&lon=-119.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA363
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA363

## Probable cause

A NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BY THE PILOT'S IMPROPER CALCULATION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.

## 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
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AFTER THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION AFTER 1 HOUR OF FLIGHT.  THE PILOT DETERMINED HIS FUEL QUANTITY WAS SUFFICIENT FOR 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES OF OPERATION BUT DID NOT KNOW THE QUANTITY OF FUEL ON BOARD AT LAST TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4062G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4062G-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 7628, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7628
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Shafter Aviation, Inc., doing business as Inland Crop Dusters
- Registered owner: Shafter Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19910820035189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910820035189A), Aug 20, 1991: Bell 47G4A, Kettleman, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation during spray run. Made hard landing damaging helicopter.

## Other investigations on N4062G (1)

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 FTW73DQG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DQG40), May 25, 1973: Bell 47G-4A (N4062G), Borger, TX, substantial damage

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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