# NTSB SEA93LA034: Bell 47G3-B2A, N58131, Montpelier, ID, December 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1992, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Montpelier, ID
- Coordinates: 42.279361, -111.330024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2794&lon=-111.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA034

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LEAKING INTERNAL CARBURETOR SEALS, RESULTING FROM IMPROPER REPAIR OF THE CARBURETOR BY AN ACFT REPAIR STATION.

## Analysis

THE PILOT DISCONTINUED A WILD GAME SURVEY FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, AND INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO A ROAD NEARBY.  THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON FINAL APPROACH ABOUT 50 FT. AGL AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED DAMAGED AND LEAKING SEALS. THE CARBURETOR HAD BEEN REPAIRED AS NEEDED BY AN ACFT REPAIR STATION ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - leak (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58131](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58131-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 6865, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3-B2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6865
- Airframe hours: 8985
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-F1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Wood, Brent V., doing business as Helo-Wood
- Registered owner: Wood, Brent V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 3, 1992, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,900 total, 12,750 in this make and model, 12,875 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 70 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 19921207049829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921207049829A), Dec 7, 1992: Bell 47G3B2A, Montpelier, ID, Substantial damage. Wild game survey rough engine. Landing on road. Engine quit on final landed hard. Reworked carb damaged leaky seals

## Other investigations on N58131 (4)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN87LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA120), May 8, 1987: Bell 47G3B2A (N58131), Brigham City, UT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA76FYG50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYG50), May 10, 1976: Bell 47G-3B (N58131), Spokane, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN74DQA42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA42), Apr 30, 1974: Bell 47G3B2 (N58131), Farmington, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN74DQA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA06), Jul 11, 1973: Bell 47G3B2 (N58131), Luna, NM, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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