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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 5, 2005 · Bell 47G-2A · N38926

Oroville, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oroville, WA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A
Tail Number
N38926
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05LA138

The pilot said that he was spraying cherries when the engine suddenly stopped. He attempted an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted cherry trees. The helicopter's main bubble was shattered, and the skids and frame were bent. Postimpact examination of the aircraft, by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the throttle cable's housing had broken, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the throttle cable housing, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position. Contributing factors were the trees and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2005, at 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A helicopter, N38926, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt, following a loss of engine power near Oroville, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Waitsburg Helicopter Service was operating the flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot said that he was spraying cherries when the engine suddenly stopped. He attempted an auto rotation, but the main rotor impacted cherry trees. The helicopter's main bubble was shattered, and the skids and frame were bent. Postimpact examination of the aircraft, by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the throttle cable's housing had broken, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2A
Tail NumberN38926
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 265
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data