# NTSB SEA85LA022: Bell 47G-3B-2, N7927J, Nampa, ID, November 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1984, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Nampa, ID
- Coordinates: 43.600208, -116.609054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6002&lon=-116.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA022

## 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
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS-INDUCED FORCED LANDING TWO DAYS PRIOR, THE ACFT FUEL PUMP AND CARBURETOR WERE CHANGED AND FUEL LINES FLUSHED. SIX HOURS OF UNEVENTFUL OPERATIONS ENSUED BEFORE THE POWER LOSS LEADING TO THIS MISHAP OCCURRED. PWRLOSS OCCURRED WHEN THE ACFT WAS 40 FT AGL WITH A FORWARD SPD OF 20 KTS; INSUFFICIENT FOR TRANSLATION TO A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT HARD TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7927J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7927J-1996-05-10), registration cancelled 1996-05-10, S/N 6798 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6798
- Airframe hours: 3390
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-G1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Jim Hicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NAMPA, ID
- Destination: NAMPA, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19841125074779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841125074779A), Nov 25, 1984: Bell 47G3B2, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit, hard landing. Rotors severed tail boom. Carburetor and fuel pump replaced 5 hours before.

## Other investigations on N7927J (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 DEN78FTE80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FTE80), Jul 28, 1978: Bell 47G3B2 (N7927J), Mesa, CO, 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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