Bell 47G-2 N11VH accident, Grandview, WA, May 18, 1982 · NTSB SEA82DA072

Analysis

While dispensing herbicide (systox) over an apple orchard the pilot sensed that the engine was binding followed by a power loss. The pilot elected to dump the herbicide and performed a power-off autorotation landing in a grape vineyard. Investigation revealed that the #5 cylinder connecting rod had over heated at the bearing journal, the bolt broke and the cap separated at the parting surface.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfManeuvering - aerial application

Engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperatureCause

Forced landingLanding

Autorotation - performedPilot in commandCause

Load jettison - performedPilot in commandFactor

Hard landingLanding - flare/touchdown

Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor

Aircraft

Registration: N11VH
Reported as: Bell 47G-2
Category: Helicopter
Serial number: 2027
Airframe hours: 8,125
Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-A1B, 240 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Aerial application · Part 137
Operator: Valicopters,Inc.
Registered owner: Valicopters,Inc.
Departed: Grandview, OR
Destination: Grandview, OR

N11VHRegistration cancelled Jul 19, 2011 · Bell 47G-2S/N 2027 · Built 1958 Airframe modelBell 47G-2 Engine modelLycoming VO-435 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 47
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours: 8,124 total · 7,292 in this make and model · 8,049 as pilot in command · 45 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 210° at 6 knots
Visibility: 40 statute miles
Temperature: 126 °F
Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Observed at: PSC, 33 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.

Accident 19820518016599ABell 47G2A · Grandview, WAHelicopter crashed during autorotation after engine failure during spraying operation.May 18, 1982 · N11VH · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N11VH · 6

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB SEA99LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBenton City, WAA loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of certification and total experience.Aug 26, 1999 · Destroyed NTSB SEA86LA143Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportZillah, WAEn route to the local spray area a total loss of power occurred along with a loss of oil pressure. The acft was aprx 200 ft AGL over a pear orchard. The plt was attempting to autorotate onto a nearby road but the left skid caught the roof top of a metal shed.…Jun 12, 1986 · Destroyed NTSB SEA85LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRoosevelt, WAA total loss of power occurred while on a CFR 137 flight, due to fuel exhaustion. Although the fuel gauge showed 1/2 tank of fuel, the pilot failed to visually check the fuel prior to this flight. During autorotation onto a wheat field a hard landing occurred…Jul 2, 1985 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA84LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBuena, WAMain rotor blades contacted a wind machine during an aerial application flt. Helicopter settled into trees and rolled over. Plt said he knew the machine was there but had forgotten.Jun 14, 1984 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA82DA050Accident · No injuriesFinal reportLyle, WADuring takeoff with a load of fertilizer, insufficient power was available to maintain engine and rotor RPM and sustain flight. The pilot dumped the load, but was unable to avoid ground contact. The tail rotor struck first and separated from the aircraft. The…Apr 10, 1982 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW74FPJ06Accident · 1 fatalClosedSpringer, OKAug 16, 1973 · Substantial damage