# NTSB SEA94LA065: Bell 47G-3B-1, N73909, Gold Hill, OR, February 24, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1994, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Gold Hill, OR - Coordinates: 42.48088, -123.060852 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4809&lon=-123.0609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41879/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=41879 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA065 ## Probable cause SEPARATION OF THE CROSSOVER FUEL LINE, AND THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE AUTOROTATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system,line - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate ## Analysis WHILE SPRAYING HERBICIDE THE HELICOPTER BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A LANDING IN A CLEARING DURING WHICH A TOTAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED VERTICALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET BEFORE LANDING HARD. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LINE CROSSOVER 'T' FITTING WHICH ROUTES FUEL FROM THE FUEL TANKS TO THE GASCOLATOR AND ENGINE HAD SEPARATED AT ITS WELD. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1994, at approximately 0830 hours Pacific standard time (PST), a Bell 47G-3B-1, N73909, registered to Kenneth & Connie Owen, being operated by Pacific Air Research, Inc., and being flown by Michael D. Owen, a certificated commercial pilot, was destroyed during an autorotation landing following a loss of power while maneuvering near Gold Hill, Oregon. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR137, was engaged in the application of herbicide. The pilot was interviewed by Deputy Larry Walters of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department on February 25, 1994 (refer to extract of case number 94-1935). He reported to the deputy that he had been spraying when the helicopter's engine "sputter(ed)" and began losing power. The pilot then attempted to execute a landing in a cleared area adjacent to a logging road. A total loss of power occurred during the approach to landing and the helicopter descended vertically for the remaining 75 feet before impacting the ground. The engine and fuel system were subsequently examined at the facilities of Medford Air Service, Medford, Oregon, on April 5, 1994. There was no reported evidence of a mechanical malfunction with the powerplant (refer to Inspector's Statement). Examination of the airframe fuel system revealed that the "fuel line crossover" which connects both fuel tanks had separated at the approximate midpoint where a "T" fitting line is welded. This line routes fuel to the engine via the gascolator and fuel shutoff (refer to Inspector's Statement and report of Thomas J. Duddy including photographs 1-3). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73909](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73909), registered now, S/N 2797, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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: 2797 - Airframe hours: 6176 - Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-BIA 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Pacific Air Research, Inc. - Registered owner: Owen, Kenneth & Connie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1993, 275 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MFR, 10 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 19940224002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940224002919A), Feb 24, 1994: Bell 47G3B1, Gold Hill, OR, Destroyed. Lost power on a spray run. Tried for a road. Lost rotor RPM fell 75 feet to ground. Fuel line separated. ## Other investigations on N73909 (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 SEA04LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA114), Jun 23, 2004: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73909), Medford, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering. Trees were a factor. - [NTSB SEA74DYA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYA12), Oct 2, 1973: Bell 47G-3B (N73909), New Meadows, ID, destroyed - [NTSB LAX70A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70A0008), Jul 30, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 3 fatal - [NTSB LAX69D0357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0357), May 21, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN66A0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0074), Apr 12, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N73909), Grand Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal - [NTSB UNK64X0473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0473), Feb 5, 1964: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Little Nway, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 1995, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=41879. 844 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Jackson County Sheriff's Department Report (item 3, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40019577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Jackson%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report-Master.PDF - Report from Textron Lycoming (item 4, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Textron%20Lycoming-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Fuel line crossover (arrow) and separated gascolator line. Photo provided by Textron Lycoming, No Negative. (item 6, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40019580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Fuel%20line%20crossover%20(arrow)%20and%20separated%20gascolator%20line.%20%20Photo%20provided%20by%20Textron%20Lycoming,%20No%20Negative.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Closeup of separated weld on crossover line. Photo provided by Textron Lycoming, No Negative. (item 7, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40019581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Closeup%20of%20separated%20weld%20on%20crossover%20line.%20%20Photo%20provided%20by%20Textron%20Lycoming,%20No%20Negative.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Closeup of separated weld on gascolator line. Photo provided by Textron Lycoming, No Negative. (item 8, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40019582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Closeup%20of%20separated%20weld%20on%20gascolator%20line.%20%20Photo%20provided%20by%20Textron%20Lycoming,%20No%20Negative.-Master.PDF 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.