NTSB Identification: DEN83LA154.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 22005.
Accident occurred Thursday, June 30, 1983 in TOWNSEND, MT
Aircraft: BELL 47G-3B-1 SOLOY, registration: N1334X
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. DURING THE LANDING THEMAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE PILOT STRETCHED THE AUTOROTATIONAL GLIDE TO REACH A HAY FIELD AND LOST MAIN ROTOR RPM IN THE PROCESS. THE ENGINE DIED OF FUEL STARVATION BECAUSE OF A LOW FUEL STATE AND BECAUSE THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING AT HIGH SPEED WITH NOSE LOW. IN THIS ACFT ACCORDING TO A TEST PILOT WHO SPECIALIZES IN THIS MODEL CAUTION MUST BE USED TO AVOID UNUSUAL PITCH ATTITUDES WITH A LOW FUEL STATE. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD A 30 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE FUEL TANKS ARE SLANTED 10 DEGREES AFT TO COMPENSATE FOR A 7 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN NORMAL HIGH SPEED (80 MPH) CRUISE. THE PILOT SAID THE GAUGES SHOWED ABOUT 10 GALLONS JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE FELT STARVATION OCCURRED.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PERFORMANCE DATA..NOT IDENTIFIED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
MANEUVER..EXCESSIVE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
AUTOROTATION..PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..STARVATION
Contributing Factors
ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..LOW LEVEL
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