# NTSB SEA92LA141: Bell-World 47D1, N17301, Wenatchee, WA, June 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1992, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.369541, -120.349098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3695&lon=-120.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA141

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND TREE(S).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, hover
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM A HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DECAYING RPM AND ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE TAILBOOM IMPACTED A TREE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICING AS THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET HIGHER THAN THE WENATCHEE AIRPORT WHICH LIES 5 MILES NORTHEAST. THE SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION AT THE AIRPORT TAKEN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT RECORDED A 63/59 DEGREE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WITH BROKEN/OVERCAST CEILINGS. THE BASE CEILING (BROKEN) WAS REPORTED AT 1800 FEET ABOVE THE AIRPORT ELEVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17301](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17301-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N WH5016, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell-World 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell World Helicopters 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-world-helicopters-47d1) (registry code 118084V) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: WH5016
- Airframe hours: 1915
- Engines: FRANKLIN GV335AB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Powder River Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Powder River Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 24, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: MALAGA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 181 total, 71 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 5 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 19920629039189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920629039189A), Jun 29, 1992: Bell 47D1, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed. Transition from hover to forward flight. Rotor speed decay. Tried land tail hit tree. Suspect carb icing.

## Other investigations on N17301 (2)

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 CHI01FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01FA231), Jul 22, 2001: World Helicopters 47D1 (N17301), Ballard, MO, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's subsequent improper autorotation.
- [NTSB SEA77FYE19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FYE19), May 14, 1977: Bell 47D1 (N17301), Enumclaw, 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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