# NTSB SEA82DA112: Bell 47G-2, N6145C, Harrah, WA, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1982, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Harrah, WA
- Coordinates: 46.400115, -120.640365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4001&lon=-120.6404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA112

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE FUEL QUANTITY GUAGES INDICATED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE ONE MORE LOAD AND STILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE RESERVE. AFTER DISPENSING THE LOAD, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS RETURNING TO THE NURSE TRUCK. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND WAS ABOUT TO CROSS A POWER LINE. THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID THE POWER LINE AND LEVELED THE HELICOPTER, BUT IT LANDED HARD. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED A COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF A VERTEBRA. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO SIGN OF A FUEL LEAK WAS FOUND.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6145C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6145C-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 2182, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2182
- Airframe hours: 8993
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-25A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Robert C. Martin
- Registered owner: Robert C. Martin
- Departed: HARRAH, WA
- Destination: HARRAH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,728 total, 673 in this make and model, 1,365 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 122 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM, 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 19820715029789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820715029789A), Jul 15, 1982: Bell 47G2, Harrah, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Crash occurred during autorotation landing.

## Other investigations on N6145C (3)

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 ATL95LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA145), Jul 31, 1995: Bell 47G2 (N6145C), Montrose, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and visual lookout.
- [NTSB SEA67A0071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0071), Jun 1, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N6145C), Kennewick, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA66A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66A0032), Nov 23, 1965: Bell 47G-2 (N6145C), 38mi E.Kelso, WA, 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.

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