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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 16, 1990 · Bell 47B3 · N11HU

Redlands, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Redlands, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47B3
Tail Number
N11HU
Operator
Zimlock Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA095

THE OPERATOR BORROWED THE HELICOPTER FROM THE OWNER UNDER A VERBAL STIPULATION THAT AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WOULD NOT BE USED. THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER WAS NOT APPROVED FOR AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF AN STC. HOWEVER, THE OPERATOR WAS KNOWN TO REFUEL HIS HELICOPTERS WITH AUTO GAS. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ERADICATE FROST FROM CITRUS TREES. AFTER REFUELING, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND DESCENDED STRIKING WIRES AND TREES. THE OPERATOR DRAINED THE FUEL FROM THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND AND TRANSPORTED IT TO HIS FACILITY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED FOUR DAYS LATER. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL WITH EVIDENCE OF AUTO GAS. LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF FUEL SAMPLE REVEALED SAMPLE HAD THE SAME AROMATIC QUALITIES AS AUTO GAS. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE ONSET OF CARBURETOR ICE WILL OCCUR QUICKER WITH AUTO GAS THAN WITH AVIATION FUEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO FROST FORMING ON FRUIT TREES.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN WARRENTED BY CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE OPERATOR BORROWED THE HELICOPTER FROM THE OWNER UNDER A VERBAL STIPULATION THAT AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WOULD NOT BE USED. THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER WAS NOT APPROVED FOR AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF AN STC. HOWEVER, THE OPERATOR WAS KNOWN TO REFUEL HIS HELICOPTERS WITH AUTO GAS. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ERADICATE FROST FROM CITRUS TREES. AFTER REFUELING, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND DESCENDED STRIKING WIRES AND TREES. THE OPERATOR DRAINED THE FUEL FROM THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND AND TRANSPORTED IT TO HIS FACILITY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED FOUR DAYS LATER. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL WITH EVIDENCE OF AUTO GAS. LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF FUEL SAMPLE REVEALED SAMPLE HAD THE SAME AROMATIC QUALITIES AS AUTO GAS. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE ONSET OF CARBURETOR ICE WILL OCCUR QUICKER WITH AUTO GAS THAN WITH AVIATION FUEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO FROST FORMING ON FRUIT TREES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47B3
Tail NumberN11HU
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorZimlock Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V4 200 C32 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data