# NTSB NYC84FNC10: Bell 47G-3B1, N8588F, Lincoln, NH, September 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1984, 13:03 local (17:03 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, NH
- Location: 44.0603° N, 71.6711° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lincoln, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0603&lon=-71.6711&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNC10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNC10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED IN A PASSENGER SIGHTSEEING OPERATION WHEN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG CEASED TO OPERATE & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES. BOTH PASSENGERS ABOARD THE HELICOPTER OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED EMPTY PRIOR TO THE ENG STOPAGE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED LESS THAN 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8588F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6528
- Airframe hours: 4288
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Shippee
- Registered owner: Green River Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1984, 384 hours before
- Departed: LINCOLN, NH
- Destination: LINCOLN, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,527 total, 793 in this make and model, 1,452 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 30 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °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 19840930054909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840930054909A), Sep 30, 1984: Bell 47G3B1, Lincoln, NH, Substantial damage. During sightseeing flight, engine ceased operation. Struck trees. Aircraft had less than 2 gallons of 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.

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