# NTSB NYC89LA025: Bell 47G, N2AR, Champion, NY, November 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Champion, NY
- Coordinates: 43.269645, -75.179527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2696&lon=-75.1795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT DUE TO A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT ACCOMPANIED BY A POWER LOSS AT A LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT AND A POWER LOSS DURING A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 FEET. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO AUTOROTATE TO A LANDING BUT IMPACTED TERRAIN AND TREES. LOCAL WINDS WERE REPORTED AT 35 KTS GUSTING TO 45 KTS. POST ACCIDENT TEST RUN OF THE ENG FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2AR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2AR-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 569, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-335-series) (registry code 27039, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 569
- Airframe hours: 3594
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-350-A 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Services Unlimited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1988, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 215° at 35 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19881110050319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881110050319A), Nov 10, 1988: Bell 47G, Champion, NY, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence on powerline patrol. Engine quit on severe downdraft. Negative gs shut off fuel.

## Other investigations on N2AR (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 MIA79DKT30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DKT30), Jan 7, 1979: Bell 47G (N2AR), Opa Locka, FL, destroyed

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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