Bell 47G-3B-1 SOLOY N3078G

Summary

On 12 November 1993 at about 16:15 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 SOLOY registered N3078G, operated by Testa, Louis V., was involved in an accident near Atmore, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 November 1993 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Atmore, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.0204, -87.4905

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1 SOLOY

Registration

N3078G

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Testa, Louis V.

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL94LA014

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF A FILTER ON THE REFUELING PUMP WHICH WOULD PRECLUDE WATER PASSAGE, AND THE HIGH TREES.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

AFTER LIFTOFF WITH A LONG LINE EXTERNAL LOAD, THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBED VERTICALLY TO ALLOW THE LOAD TO CLEAR TREES AROUND THE REMOTE OPERATING SITE. ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE QUIT. ROTOR SPEED WAS DECAYED DURING THE AUTOROTATION, TO OVERFLY THE TREES AND REACH A DIRT ROAD. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON THE ROAD AND CLIPPED TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTOR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FUELED FROM PORTABLE DRUMS, AT THE REMOTE SITE, THAT HAD NO FILTER TO PRECLUDE WATER ENTERING THE AIRCRAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.