Bell 47 D-1 N3656F

Summary

On 14 August 1990 at about 09:54 local time, a Bell 47 D-1 registered N3656F, operated by Allied Helicopter Service, Inc, was involved in an accident near Stockbridge, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 August 1990 at 09:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Stockbridge, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.4490, -84.1708

Aircraft

Bell 47 D-1

Registration

N3656F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Allied Helicopter Service, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

CHI90DEC04

1 person was seriously injured.

THE RESTRICTED VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED FROM THE CANOPY FOGGING UP.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AGRICULTURAL HEILCOPTER HAD JUST TAKEN OFF ON AN EARLY MORNING RE-POSITIONING FLIGHT WHEN THE CANOPY BECAME COMPLETELY FOGGED OVER. BEFORE THE PILOT COULD RE-ORIENT HIMSELF BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE OPENING, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWER POLE AND WIRES. THE COLLISION CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO RUPTURE AND SPRAYED AVIATION FUEL ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST PIPES. THE ENSUING FIRE DESTROYED THE HELICOPTER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.