Bell 47G-3B N8494E

Summary

On 14 July 1997 at about 18:20 local time, a Bell 47G-3B registered N8494E, operated by Wood, Milton, H., was involved in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, 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.

Date

14 July 1997 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.5191, -112.2699

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B

Registration

N8494E

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Wood, Milton, H.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA168

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot mismanaged his fuel supply which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were the lack of adequate altitude and airspeed to successfully execute an autorotation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that upon making the last spray pass of a potato field he noted a low fuel state and turned back towards his refueling truck. At an altitude of 10-15 feet above ground and an airspeed of approximately 25 knots, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that 'when it quit I did not have the time to do any auto(rotation). It stopped and I hit the ground.' An FAA inspector confirmed the lack of fuel on board the aircraft following the accident. The height-velocity diagram for the Bell 47G-3B placed the aircraft on the boundary of the envelope for a successful autorotation at the altitude and speed at the time of the power loss.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.