# NTSB NYC91DNA01: Bell 47-G3-B, N2921W, Nantucket, MA, November 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1990, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2714° N, 70.0959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nantucket, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2714&lon=-70.0959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DNA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DNA01

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING, AFTER A POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A POSITIONING FLIGHT AT 1000 FEET AGL WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. HE AUTOROTATED INTO A LARGE OPEN AREA, MAKING A HARD LANDING. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND THERE WAS A SMALL POST CRASH FIRE FROM A RUPTURED HYDRAULIC LINE. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2921W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2921W-1992-03-24), registration cancelled 1992-03-24, S/N 6832 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G3-B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6832
- Airframe hours: 5797
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-F1A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Firefly, Inc., doing business as Firefly, Inc
- Registered owner: Ashley Cranberry, Enterprise
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1990, 47 hours before
- Departed: WEST WAREHAM, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACK, 2 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 19901115050729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901115050729A), Nov 15, 1990: Bell 47G3B2A, Nantucket, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit on approach to service area. Made hard autorotation landing. Damage skid tailboom. Carb icing prevalent

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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