# NTSB NYC91DGT03: Bell 47-G3B1, N2619B, Hughesville, PA, May 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1991, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Hughesville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.230628, -76.719734 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2306&lon=-76.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DGT03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DGT03

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA TO REFUEL AND PICK UP CHEMICALS TO SPRAY GYPSY MOTHS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HE STARTED AUTOROTATING AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL.  THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE EDGE OF A FOREST.  A WITNESS SAID THAT THE HELICOPTER MADE A RIGHT TURN ABOUT 10 FEET OVER A FIELD AS IF TO LAND AND THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE GULLY TOWARDS THE WOODS.  HE THEN HEARD THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2619B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2619B-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 2806 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2806
- Airframe hours: 9289
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agricultural Helicopter Serv.
- Registered owner: Agricultural Helicopter Serv.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1991, 27 hours before
- Departed: HUGHESVILLE, PA
- Destination: IPT, WILLIAMSPORT, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,552 total, 400 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 10 nm away

## 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 19910515016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910515016169A), May 15, 1991: Bell 47G3B1, Hughesville, PA, Destroyed. Struck trees while at a low altitude returning to base from a spraying site. Witness observed low rotor RPM.

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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