Plane Crash List

Bell 47G N4062G

20 August 1991 · Kettleman City, California, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 20 August 1991 at about 14:00 local time, a Bell 47G registered N4062G, operated by Shafter Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Kettleman City, California, United States. One person was on board and one 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 14:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Kettleman City, California, United States
Coordinates
36.0510, -119.9892
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Registration
N4062G
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Shafter Aviation, Inc.
Operating rule
Part 137: Agricultural
Purpose of flight
Aerial Application
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX91LA363

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

A NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BY THE PILOT'S IMPROPER CALCULATION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AFTER THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION AFTER 1 HOUR OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT DETERMINED HIS FUEL QUANTITY WAS SUFFICIENT FOR 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES OF OPERATION BUT DID NOT KNOW THE QUANTITY OF FUEL ON BOARD AT LAST TAKEOFF. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
28 Oct 1991 Bell 47D-1
N925V
Rome, Georgia, United States Silver Hawk Aviation No injuries -
26 Sep 1991 Bell 47G-5A
N59424
Pearsall, Texas, United States Tiller Helicopter Service, Inc Minor injuries -
19 May 1991 Bell 47G-3B-1
N73903
Malott, Washington, United States Cascade Helicopter No injuries -
10 Sep 1991 Bell 47G-3B-2
N2618D
Chula Vista, California, United States K & L Helicopters Minor injuries -
15 May 1991 Bell 47-G3B1
N2619B
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, United States Agricultural Helicopter Serv. Serious injuries -
11 May 1991 Bell 47-G
N955B
Aguadilla
no coordinates
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
N54694
Hesperia, California, United States South Bay Aviation No injuries -
24 Jul 1991 Cessna 172N
N5352D
Napa, California, United States Bridgeford Flying SVC. No injuries -
24 Jul 1991 Beechcraft 76
N6045M
Sacramento, California, United States Altair Aviation Corp. No injuries -
27 Jul 1991 Ayres S2R
N3087D
Visalia, California, United States Gilbert Aviation Industries Serious injuries -
1 Aug 1991 Cessna 421C
N98455
Auburn, California, United States Edward Mueller No injuries -
2 Aug 1991 Champion 7GCBC
N1693G
Lake Elsinore, California, United States
no coordinates
Halbeisen, John F Fatal 2

All 170,864 records in United States