# NTSB LAX94LA188: Bell 47G-2, N5827U, Willcox, AZ, April 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1994, 18:30 local (Apr 13, 1994, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Willcox, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.430191, -109.879623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4302&lon=-109.8796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 3, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA188

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE HELICOPTER FLYING TECHNIQUES TO ERADICATE FROST FROM AN ORCHARD, THE HELICOPTER LOST ENGINE POWER ABOUT 15 FT AGL AND SETTLED INTO TREES. SAND-LIKE CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL, CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL, AND INTERNAL PASSAGES OF THE CARBURETOR.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1994, about 1830 hours Mountain standard time, a Bell G-2, N5827U, collided with trees after a loss of engine power while maneuvering over an apple orchard about 19 miles north of Willcox, Arizona.  The helicopter was being operated by Arizona Apple Company, Inc., Willcox, Arizona, as a business flight under 14 CFR Part 91.  The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the two certificated commercial pilots were not injured.  The local flight originated from the operator's facilities 1810 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate helicopter flying techniques to eradicate frost from the orchard.  The pilots reported the helicopter lost power while flying about 15 feet above an apple orchard.  The helicopter subsequently settled into trees.

Examination of the helicopter's fuel system by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed sand-like debris in the fuel samples and the engine carburetor fuel bowl.  The mechanic disassembled the carburetor and found the same debris throughout the internal passages.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5827U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2242
- Airframe hours: 6866
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Apple Company, Inc.
- Registered owner: Agrinvest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993, 62 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 910 total, 300 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19940412000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940412000719A), Apr 12, 1994: Bell 47G2, Wilcox, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power while hovering low over orchard. Demo flight for frost control dropped into trees. Sand in fuel.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.