# NTSB SEA85LA155: Bell 47G2, N11VH, Roosevelt, WA, July 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1985, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Roosevelt, WA
- Coordinates: 45.738961, -120.21954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7390&lon=-120.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA155

## 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
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A 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 SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11VH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11VH-2011-07-19), registration cancelled 2011-07-19, S/N 2027, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- 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: 2027
- Airframe hours: 9017
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1B 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Vali Copters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1985
- Departed: ROOSEVELT, WA
- Destination: ROOSEVELT, WA
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,150 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## Other investigations on N11VH (6)

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 SEA99LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA149), Aug 26, 1999: Bell 47G-2 (N11VH), Benton City, WA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A 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…
- [NTSB SEA86LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA143), Jun 12, 1986: Bell 47G-2 (N11VH), Zillah, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA84LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA132), Jun 14, 1984: Bell 47G2A (N11VH), Buena, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA82DA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA072), May 18, 1982: Bell 47G-2 (N11VH), Grandview, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA82DA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA050), Apr 10, 1982: Bell 47G-2A (N11VH), Lyle, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74FPJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FPJ06), Aug 16, 1973: EL Tomcat MK5 (N11VH), Springer, OK, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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.