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NTSB Report

July 9, 2012 · Bell 47G-3B-2 · N2919W

Treynor, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Treynor, IA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-2
Tail Number
N2919W
Operator
Custom Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12CA435

The pilot performed a preflight inspection and noted that the 61-gallon fuel tank was just over a quarter full. After about 26 minutes of aerial application runs, the helicopter yawed left, and a warning light flickered. The pilot did not see which light had illuminated. Thinking it was a fuel problem, he checked the fuel quantity gauge, which read two needle-widths below a quarter tank. The pilot continued spraying, and several seconds later the turbine-engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned left and made an autorotation run-on landing to a field. After the helicopter came to a stop, the main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tail boom. Approximately 1.75 gallons of fuel was drained from the two fuel tanks. The pilot reported that the usual fuel consumption was about 25 gallons per hour and the tanks had about 4 gallons of unusable fuel. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems before the accident, and the engine was most likely starved of fuel due to the low fuel level and unusual attitudes inherent to helicopter aerial applications.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

The pilot performed a pre-flight inspection and noted the 61-gallon fuel tank was just over a quarter full. After about 26 minutes of aerial application runs, the helicopter yawed left and a warning light flickered. The pilot did not see which light had illuminated. Thinking it was a fuel problem, he checked the fuel quantity gauge, which read two needle-widths below a quarter tank. The pilot continued spraying and several seconds later the turbine-engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned left and made an autorotation run-on landing to a field. After the helicopter came to a stop, the main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tail boom. Approximately 1.75 gallons of fuel was drained from the two fuel tanks. The pilot reported the usual fuel consumption was about 25 gallons per hour and the tanks had about 4 gallons of unusable fuel. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems prior to the accident and the engine was most likely starved of fuel due to the low fuel level and unusual attitudes inherent to helicopter aerial applications.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:09 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B-2
Tail NumberN2919W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCustom Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · TV0-435 SER · Turboshaft · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data