# NTSB NYC77FFA10: Bell 47J-2A, N3538S, Ellenville, NY, December 12, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: December 12, 1976
- Place: Ellenville, NY · ELLENVILLE, NY
- Location: 41.7047° N, 74.3622° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ellenville, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7047&lon=-74.3622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC77FFA10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FFA10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3699  76/12/12   ELLENVILLE,NY       BELL 47J-2A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 34, 103
        TIME - 1630                    N3538S              PX-  0  2  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 9 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ELLENVILLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELLENVILLE,NY               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CARB HAD ICE IN FLOAT CHAMBER.FUEL LINES,PUMP,SCREEN AND PRIMER CONTAINED ICE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3538S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3538S-2024-10-21), registration cancelled 2024-10-21, S/N 3127, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2a) (registry code 1181106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ellenville

## 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 19761212038109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761212038109A), Dec 12, 1976: Bell 47J2A, Ellenville, NY, Substantial damage. Carb had ice in float chamber. Fuel lines,pump,screen and primer contained ice.

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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