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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

October 11, 1990 · Bell 47G4 · N477JM

Merced, CA

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Accident

Date

October 11, 1990

Injury Outcomes

1 injury (1 serious injury)

Location

Merced, CA

Aircraft

Bell 47G4

Tail Number

N477JM

Operator

John W Myers

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

LAX91LA008

AFTER WASHING THE HELICOPTER THE PILOT TOOK-OFF ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT OVER HIS RANCH. A GROUND WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE STOP AND OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTERS ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED IT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

Full Narrative

AFTER WASHING THE HELICOPTER THE PILOT TOOK-OFF ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT OVER HIS RANCH. A GROUND WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE STOP AND OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTERS ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED IT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time10:58 PDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G4

Tail NumberN477JM

Aircraft CategoryHeli

DamageDestroyed

OperatorJohn W Myers

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 240

Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)

Fatal0

Serious1

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total1

Crew 1Age 79 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDawn

WindCalm

Visibility10 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourceWIT

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October 11, 1990 · Bell 47G4 · N477JM

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