# NTSB NYC88LA170: Bell 47J2, N51711, Newburyport, MA, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1988, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Newburyport, MA
- Location: 42.8123° N, 70.8866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newburyport, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8123&lon=-70.8866&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED RUNWAY 10 AT PLUM ISLAND AIRPORT, TURNED LEFT OVER THE PLUM ISLAND RIVER AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT NO WARNING WAS NOTED AND A CHECK OF THE INSTRUMENTS INDICATED NO PROBLEMS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE NO UNUSUAL NOISES. THE HELICOPTER WAS AUTOROTATED INTO WATER. THE OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY A PRIVATE CITIZEN. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. WITNESSES NOTED NO GASOLINE IN OR ON THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT LATER SHOWED ABOUT 1 GAL OF FUEL IN THE RT TANK AND AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF FUEL AND SALT WATER IN THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51711](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51711-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 2629, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2629
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Plum Island Flying Service
- Registered owner: Air Plum Island
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1988
- Departed: NEWBURYPORT, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,845 total, 87 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880625023779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880625023779A), Jun 25, 1988: Bell 47J2, Newburyport, MA, Destroyed. Report indicates helicopter ran out of fuel on climbout. Autorotated into ocean waters. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N51711 (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 CHI79FEX25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEX25), May 17, 1979: Bell 47J2 (N51711), Westfield, IN, 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.