# NTSB NYC94LA110: Bell 47-G5, N59400, Wareham, MA, July 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1994, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Wareham, MA - Location: 41.7626° N, 70.7217° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wareham, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7626&lon=-70.7217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate inflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - altitude - inadequate - remedial action - not possible - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AN AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE OF THE AREA TO BE FERTILIZER, AT 35 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND AN AIRSPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. AT THE COMPLETION OF THE TURN TO DOWNWIND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT LEVELED THE HELICOPTER AND ENTERED AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND INTACT AND A TOTAL OF 20 OUNCES OF USEABLE FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS. THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT MANUAL DEPICTED THE COMBINATION OF 35 FEET AND 40 MPH AS AN AREA TO AVOID CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS IN. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1994, at 0940 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G- 5A, N59400, operated by Wiggins Airways and piloted by Larry Helms, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a cranberry bog in Wareham, Massachusetts. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the agricultural application flight operating under 14 CFR 137. The purpose of the flight was the aerial application of fertilizer onto a cranberry bog in Wareham, Massachusetts. The helicopter was operating from a landing pad in close proximity to the area to be sprayed. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated: "...Aircraft [fuel gauge] indicated 12 to 15 gallons of fuel... While performing the aerial reconnaissance of the bog I was to dust, I had just turned downwind at 35 feet altitude when the engine failed. I leveled the aircraft and entered autorotation. I was able to level the aircraft and decelerate before ground contact..." The pilot estimated that his airspeed at the time of the engine failure was about 40 miles per hour (MPH). According to a witness, he heard a change in the engine noise and observed the helicopter contact the ground and the main rotor strike the tailboom. The manager of Helicopter Operations for Wiggins Airways, stated in a letter that during an inspection of the helicopter after the accident, the fuel tanks were found to be "whole and unruptured." Further, fuel drained from both fuel tanks totaled 101 ounces, of which 20 ounces was useable. The Bell Helicopter Flight Manual for the 47G contains an Airspeed vs. Altitude Chart, used to depict altitude and airspeed combinations, where successful power off autorotations can be expected. The chart depicts the airspeed and altitude combination of 40 MPH and 35 feet in the area that is labeled, "Avoid continuous operation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59400](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59400-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 25138, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47-G5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25138 - Airframe hours: 9091 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wiggins Airways - Registered owner: Piper East Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1994, 48 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,141 total, 3,258 in this make and model, 10,550 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19940702017159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940702017159A), Jul 2, 1994: Bell 47G5A, Wareham, MA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel surveying dusting site. Too slow and low for safe autorotation. Impact in bog. Rotors chopped tail. ## Other investigations on N59400 (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 NYC86LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA191), Jul 20, 1986: Bell 47G-5A (N59400), Portland, CT, 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.