Summary
On July 30, 1994, a Bell 47G-2A (N6749D) was involved in an incident near Scottsdale, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL APPROPRIATELY, THE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE TIME THE ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
On July 30, 1994, at 1030 hours mountain standard time, a Bell 47G-2A, N6749D, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on the Salt River Indian Reservation, Scottsdale, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by San Tan Dusters, Inc., and was conducting agricultural operations under 14 CFR Part 137 of Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from an improvised loading site on the Salt River Indian Reservation at 0500 on the day of the accident.
The pilot stated that he had flown the aircraft the day before and during one flight had heard the engine sputter.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX94LA303. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6749D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL APPROPRIATELY, THE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AT THE TIME THE ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 30, 1994, at 1030 hours mountain standard time, a Bell 47G-2A, N6749D, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on the Salt River Indian Reservation, Scottsdale, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by San Tan Dusters, Inc., and was conducting agricultural operations under 14 CFR Part 137 of Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from an improvised loading site on the Salt River Indian Reservation at 0500 on the day of the accident.
The pilot stated that he had flown the aircraft the day before and during one flight had heard the engine sputter. As a precaution, he landed, checked the fuel, and verified that he still had approximately 5 or 6 gallons of fuel on board.
The pilot stated that he had just finished an application run and was in the process of pulling up and turning right when the engine sputtered briefly and quit. While at an altitude of approximately 40 feet and an airspeed of 40 knots, the pilot initiated an autorotation to the ground. The pilot stated that the aircraft touched down hard, at which time the main rotor blade flexed downward striking the tail boom. The pilot exited the aircraft unassisted.
According to the to height/velocity diagram obtained from Bell Helicopter for the 47G-2A model, the engine stoppage occurred at an airspeed and altitude unsafe for autorotative landings.
According to a company mechanic who performed a postaccident inspection of the aircraft, there was approximately 1 quart of fuel remaining in the tank. After the aircraft was recovered, the engine was refueled. The engine started and ran normally on the first attempt.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA303