Bell 47G-3B-2 N2618D
10 September 1991 · Chula Vista, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 10 September 1991 at about 23:45 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 registered N2618D, operated by K & L Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Chula Vista, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Chula Vista, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.1504, -117.2796
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-2
- Registration
- N2618D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- K & L Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- El Cajon → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX91LA390
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED AND MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE ALTITUDE. THE POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FLOAT EQUIPPED HELICOPTER WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT OVER LAND IN A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH A FLOAT LANDING GEAR. HIS FIRST AUTOROTATION WAS TERMINATED WITH A POWER RECOVERY. DURING HIS SECOND AUTOROTATION THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS AUTOROTATIVE LANDING FLARE AND THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH A FORWARD GROUND SPEED AND TUMBLED ALONG ITS GROUND PATH.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 47 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Oct 1991 | Bell 47D-1 | Rome, Georgia, United States | Silver Hawk Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 26 Sep 1991 | Bell 47G-5A | Pearsall, Texas, United States | Tiller Helicopter Service, Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 May 1991 | Bell 47G-3B-1 | Malott, Washington, United States | Cascade Helicopter | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 1991 | Bell 47G | Kettleman City, California, United States | Shafter Aviation, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 May 1991 | Bell 47-G3B1 | Hughesville, Pennsylvania, United States | Agricultural Helicopter Serv. | Serious injuries | - |
| 11 May 1991 | Bell 47-G | Aguadilla | Esteves, Arturo | No injuries | - |
All 1,633 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1991 | Cessna C-172P | Hesperia, California, United States | South Bay Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172N | Napa, California, United States | Bridgeford Flying SVC. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft 76 | Sacramento, California, United States | Altair Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | Ayres S2R | Visalia, California, United States | Gilbert Aviation Industries | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Cessna 421C | Auburn, California, United States | Edward Mueller | No injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Champion 7GCBC | Lake Elsinore, California, United States | Halbeisen, John F | Fatal | 2 |