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NTSB Report
May 21, 1986 · Bell UH-1B · N3879G
Fellsmere, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fellsmere, FL
Aircraft
Bell UH-1B
Tail Number
N3879G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86LA165
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 350 LBS OF FUEL ONBOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF ON HIS 4TH NIGHT CROP DUSTING MISSION. HE INDICATED THAT EACH MISSION IS 6 TO 8 MINS IN DURATION AND THAT THE AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS ABOUT 570 LBS PER HR. HE STATED THAT THE 20 MIN LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR 3 TO 5 MINS WHEN THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LANDING ROLL. THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT THINK HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL BUT HE WAS NOT SURE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD PERFORMED NORMAL PRIOR TO THE ENG FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 350 LBS OF FUEL ONBOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF ON HIS 4TH NIGHT CROP DUSTING MISSION. HE INDICATED THAT EACH MISSION IS 6 TO 8 MINS IN DURATION AND THAT THE AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS ABOUT 570 LBS PER HR. HE STATED THAT THE 20 MIN LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR 3 TO 5 MINS WHEN THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LANDING ROLL. THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT THINK HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL BUT HE WAS NOT SURE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD PERFORMED NORMAL PRIOR TO THE ENG FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell UH-1B
Tail NumberN3879G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T-5311D · Turboshaft · 1150
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time07:21
Weather SourceWFAC