# NTSB MIA92LA102: Bell 47-D-1, N322A, Fayette, MS, April 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1992, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Fayette, MS
- Coordinates: 31.710285, -91.059036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7103&lon=-91.0590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA102

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO INSURE THE PROPER FUEL QUANTITY FOR THE FLIGHT WAS PLACED ON THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO MONITOR FUEL QUANTITY DURING FLIGHT RESULTING IN 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, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT HE TOPPED THE FUEL TANKS TO THE 29 GALLON LEVEL PRIOR TO FLIGHT. ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG QUIT. HE STATED THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN HAD LEAKED CAUSING FUEL EXHAUSTION AND LOSS OF POWER. TWO FAA INSPECTORS WHO INSPECTED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PRE OR POST CRASH FUEL LEAKAGE. THE FUEL STRAINER DRAIN VALVE WAS FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N322A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N322A-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N WH1001, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-D-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: WH1001
- Airframe hours: 4841
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-235-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Darre J. Ward, doing business as Ward Aviation
- Registered owner: Darre J. Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1992, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21,084 total, 7,373 in this make and model, 21,084 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 31 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 19920402009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920402009959A), Apr 2, 1992: Bell 47D1, Fayette, MS, Substantial damage. Engine quit during spraying operations. Fuel tanks were empty.

## Other investigations on N322A (3)

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 MIA68A0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68A0011), Jul 22, 1967: Bell 47D1 (N322A), Pnama Cty Bch, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA66A0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0086), Jan 31, 1966: Bell 47D1 (N322A), Florida City, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X2222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2222), Jun 10, 1964: Bell 47D1 (N322A), Harrisburg, AR, 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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