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November 12, 1993 · Bell 47G-3B-1 Soloy 47G-3B-1 S · N3078G

Atmore, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Atmore, AL
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-1 Soloy 47G-3B-1 S
Tail Number
N3078G
Operator
Testa Louis V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA014

AFTER LIFTOFF WITH A LONG LINE EXTERNAL LOAD, THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBED VERTICALLY TO ALLOW THE LOAD TO CLEAR TREES AROUND THE REMOTE OPERATING SITE. ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE QUIT. ROTOR SPEED WAS DECAYED DURING THE AUTOROTATION, TO OVERFLY THE TREES AND REACH A DIRT ROAD. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON THE ROAD AND CLIPPED TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTOR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FUELED FROM PORTABLE DRUMS, AT THE REMOTE SITE, THAT HAD NO FILTER TO PRECLUDE WATER ENTERING THE AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF A FILTER ON THE REFUELING PUMP WHICH WOULD PRECLUDE WATER PASSAGE, AND THE HIGH TREES.

Full Narrative

On November 12, 1993, about 1015 central standard time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 Soloy, N3078G, collided with trees and the ground, following a loss of engine power during takeoff, near Atmore, Alabama. The helicopter was operated by Louis V. Testa, dba Exploration Helicopters, under 14 CFR Part 133 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the external lift flight. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after lifting seismic equipment with a 100 foot external lift line, about 250 feet above the ground, the engine power decreased. The helicopter is equipped with an Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine. He released the external load and did not reduce the collective position in an attempt to overfly trees to a road. He was able to reach the road, but collided with trees prior to landing on the road. The rotor speed had decayed and a hard autorotative landing was executed. Examination of the helicopter's fuel supply revealed that it contained water contamination (Record of Telephone Conversation attached). The operator reported that fuel was recently purchased from the Brewton, Alabama, airport. The airport manager, Blayne Kemp, provided a copy of a credit cart receipt for 307.4 gallons of Jet A fuel, purchased by Thunderbird Helicopters, on November 7, 1993. Mr. Kemp stated in a telephone conversation on November 15, 1993, that no water was found in the fuel at the airport. Aircraft records provided by the operator indicated that the helicopter was flown on November 10 and 11. During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that the helicopter was fueled at the remote work site from portable drums that were kept at the site. He also stated that fuel was pumped from the drums into the helicopter without filtration.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B-1 Soloy 47G-3B-1 S
Tail NumberN3078G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTesta Louis V
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 260
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data