# NTSB SEA03LA023: Bell 47G, N4759R, Idaho Falls, ID, January 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 2, 2003, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Idaho Falls, ID - Coordinates: 43.45, -111.933334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4500&lon=-111.9333&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, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA023 ## Probable cause In-flight loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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 (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration, at 5,100 feet MSL and 80 MPH, the helicopter experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby alfalfa field. During the landing, the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom assembly, severing the top two tubes just aft of the last hangar bearing. Visual inspection of the helicopter's engine and associated components revealed no evidence of atypical wear or component failure. Following the visual inspection, the operator conducted an engine run. The engine was started and ran at various power settings for approximately 10 minutes. No power surges or anomalies were noted during test run. ## Factual narrative On January 02, 2003, about 0900 mountain standard time, a turbine converted Bell 47G helicopter, N4759R, sustained substantial damage after a loss of engine power, autorotation, and hard landing eight miles southeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The helicopter is owned and operated by Heli-Wood of Tremonton, Utah, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight in accordance with Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated from an off-airport site approximately five miles east of Idaho Falls, approximately six minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration, at 5,100 feet MSL and 80 MPH, the helicopter experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby alfalfa field. During the landing, the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom assembly, severing the top two tubes just aft of the last hangar bearing. Visual inspection of the helicopter's engine and associated components revealed no evidence of atypical wear or component failure. Inspection of the fuel system revealed that: the fuel inlet lines and vent lines were intact and no restrictions or leakage was noted. The fuel pump filter, airframe fuel filter, fuel control inlet screen and fuel nozzle inlet screen were intact and free of contaminants. Soot and carbon deposits were noted on the fuel nozzle tip. The Pc lines and associated components were intact and no cracks or evidence of leakage was noted. Following the visual inspection, the operator conducted an engine run. The engine was started and ran at various power settings for approximately 10 minutes. No power surges or anomalies were noted during test run. The operator and a representative from the Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office conducted the post accident inspection and subsequent test run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4759R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4759R), registered now, S/N 6728 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6728 - Airframe hours: 11053 - Engines: Allison C20 B 280 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Heli-Wood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2002, 60 hours before - Departed: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 9, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 18,900 in this make and model, 18,850 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: KIDA, 8 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 20030102000079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030102000079A), Jan 2, 2003: Bell 47G3B2, Idahofalls, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was preheated for approx. 40 minutes, uncovered and started and ground run for approx. 10-15 minutes prior to takeoff. Pilot departed landing… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56270. 278 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.