# NTSB LAX94LA303: Bell 47G-2A, N6749D, Scottsdale, AZ, July 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1994, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.659519, -111.869178 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6595&lon=-111.8692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28813 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28813/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA303 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL APPROPRIATELY, THE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE TIME THE ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## 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 (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST FINISHED AN APPLICATION RUN AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING UP AND TURNING RIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED BRIEFLY AND QUIT. WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AND AN AIRSPEED OF 40 KNOTS, THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. ACCORDING TO A COMPANY MECHANIC, THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANK. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED AND REFUELED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1994, at 1030 hours mountain standard time, a Bell 47G-2A, N6749D, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on the Salt River Indian Reservation, Scottsdale, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by San Tan Dusters, Inc., and was conducting agricultural operations under 14 CFR Part 137 of Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from an improvised loading site on the Salt River Indian Reservation at 0500 on the day of the accident. The pilot stated that he had flown the aircraft the day before and during one flight had heard the engine sputter. As a precaution, he landed, checked the fuel, and verified that he still had approximately 5 or 6 gallons of fuel on board. The pilot stated that he had just finished an application run and was in the process of pulling up and turning right when the engine sputtered briefly and quit. While at an altitude of approximately 40 feet and an airspeed of 40 knots, the pilot initiated an autorotation to the ground. The pilot stated that the aircraft touched down hard, at which time the main rotor blade flexed downward striking the tail boom. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted. According to the to height/velocity diagram obtained from Bell Helicopter for the 47G-2A model, the engine stoppage occurred at an airspeed and altitude unsafe for autorotative landings. According to a company mechanic who performed a postaccident inspection of the aircraft, there was approximately 1 quart of fuel remaining in the tank. After the aircraft was recovered, the engine was refueled. The engine started and ran normally on the first attempt. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6749D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6749D), registered now, S/N 2240, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2240 - Airframe hours: 14277 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Joe Henderson, doing business as San Tan Dusters, Inc. - Registered owner: Ag Aero Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1994, 60 hours before - Destination: NONE, CHANDLER, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,146 total, 6,800 in this make and model, 14,841 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PHX, 10 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940730024399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940730024399A), Jul 30, 1994: Bell 47G2, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff too low for autorotation. Hard impact. Rotors chopped tailboom. Had run out of fuel. ## Other investigations on N6749D (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 NYC67A0187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0187), Jun 24, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N6749D), Bedford, PA, 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. --- 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.