Bell 47-G3B1 N1166W
20 April 1991 · Harwich, Massachusetts, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 20 April 1991 at about 12:00 local time, a Bell 47-G3B1 registered N1166W, operated by Firefly Leasing, Inc., was involved in an accident near Harwich, Massachusetts, 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 12:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Harwich, Massachusetts, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-G3B1
- Registration
- N1166W
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Firefly Leasing, 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
- NYC91DNA02
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH DURING TAKEOFF DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ESTABLISH AN AUTOROTATION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF LIFT THROUGH THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM AND MADE A HARD LANDING. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED THE CLUTCH HAD RECENTLY BEEN REMOVED AND DISASSEMBLED FOR INSPECTION. THE CLUTCH WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE WITH ONLY 25 PERCENT SHOE/DRUM CONTACT. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL HAD NOT FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN THE OVERHAUL MANUAL.
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 | - |
| 10 Sep 1991 | Bell 47G-3B-2 | Chula Vista, California, United States | K & L Helicopters | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 May 1991 | Bell 47-G3B1 | Hughesville, Pennsylvania, United States | Agricultural Helicopter Serv. | Serious injuries | - |
All 1,633 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-23-250 | Templeton, Massachusetts, United States | Charles O'donnell | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | Hiller UH-12B | Westfield, Massachusetts, United States | James T. Kilbridge | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft C-23 | Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States | David J. Stoddard | No injuries | - |
| 31 Aug 1991 | Mooney M20J | Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States | Thomas P. Heeney | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Sep 1991 | Cessna 172M | Norwood, Massachusetts, United States | Executive Flyers Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1991 | McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | East Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Continental Airlines Inc. | Serious injuries | - |