# NTSB NYC90DNA02: Bell 47G5, N8591F, Marion, MA, April 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Marion, MA
- Location: 41.7001° N, 70.7628° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marion, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7001&lon=-70.7628&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DNA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DNA02

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING AN 'AG TURN' DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS WHEN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOTED. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED INTO TREES AND BRUSH. THE PILOT STATED THAT 'CARBURETOR ICE WAS SUSPECTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED INTERMITTENTLY DURING THE DAY.' ON- SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY/MALFUNCTION; THERE WAS FUEL ON BOARD THE HELICOPTER, AND NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. A POST- ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH NO INDICATION OF POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8591F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8591F-1996-10-11), registration cancelled 1996-10-11, S/N 7812 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7812
- Airframe hours: 4189
- Engines: LYCOMING L-34-22-31 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Plymouth Copters Corp.
- Registered owner: Black Cat Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 27, 1990, 31 hours before
- Departed: PYN, PLYMOUTH, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 61 in this make and model, 288 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900426011829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900426011829A), Apr 26, 1990: Bell 47G5, Rochester, MA, Substantial damage. Lost RPM during a spray run. Turned to avoid trees lost control and crashed carburetor icing conditions.

## Other investigations on N8591F (2)

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 NYC96LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA145), Jul 8, 1996: Bell 47G-5 (N8591F), Carver, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate visual look out for obstacles, which resulted in a collision with wires and the ground.
- [NTSB NYC67A0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0028), Aug 17, 1966: Bell 47G-5 (N8591F), St.James, NY, 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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