# NTSB SEA90LA060: Bell 47G-3B-2, N9449J, Hillsboro, OR, April 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.512113, -122.98835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5121&lon=-122.9883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA060

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER CONTAINED LESS THAN THE UNUSABLE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9449J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6719
- Airframe hours: 7063
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Western Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Western Heicopter Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 1990, 43 hours before
- Departed: BANKS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,369 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 9,369 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F

## 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 19900402011859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402011859A), Apr 2, 1990: Bell 47G3B2, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a spray operation. Unable to autorotate at low altitude.

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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