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NTSB Report
July 30, 1987 · Bell 47J-2 · N73265
Canon City, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Canon City, CO
Aircraft
Bell 47J-2
Tail Number
N73265
Operator
Ozark Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN87LA204
THE ATP PLT WAS FLYING SIGHTSEEING RIDES. THERE WERE TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE FOUR PASSENGER HELICOPTER. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10000 FEET. THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PLT ABORTED TAKEOFF AND LANDED. AFTER AN ENG RUNUP THE PLT TOOK OFF AGAIN AND THE HELICOPTER WAS BROUGHT TO A HOVER TO RETURN TO THE LOADING AREA. WHILE TURNING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A FENCE AND WAS SEVERED. THE HELICOPTER MADE AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN AND THE PLT EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT A PLUG WAS MISSING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Full Narrative
THE ATP PLT WAS FLYING SIGHTSEEING RIDES. THERE WERE TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE FOUR PASSENGER HELICOPTER. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10000 FEET. THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PLT ABORTED TAKEOFF AND LANDED. AFTER AN ENG RUNUP THE PLT TOOK OFF AGAIN AND THE HELICOPTER WAS BROUGHT TO A HOVER TO RETURN TO THE LOADING AREA. WHILE TURNING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A FENCE AND WAS SEVERED. THE HELICOPTER MADE AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN AND THE PLT EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT A PLUG WAS MISSING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47J-2
Tail NumberN73265
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOzark Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO