Aviation Crash Map

Bell 47G-3B-2 N1461W

14 January 1998 · Spanish Fork, Utah, United States · Fatal

Summary

On 14 January 1998 at about 20:00 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 registered N1461W was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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 20:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Spanish Fork, Utah, United States
Coordinates
40.0209, -111.5491
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-2
Registration
N1461W
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Public Use
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
FTW98GA097

People

1 person died.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 1 0 1 0

Probable cause

A total loss of power due to repeated engine overspeeds. A related factor was unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering at low level during a coyote hunting operation, a total loss of engine power occurred and the helicopter collided with trees during a forced landing to unsuitable terrain. Examination of the engine provided evidence of partial failure and/or total failure of the valve assemblies in all cylinders. Laboratory analysis revealed evidence of progressive failure in the valve seats. This was indicative of repeated overspeed of the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
28 May 1998 Bell 47G
N182JR
Bunnell, Florida, United States Wing and Rotor International No injuries -
29 Jul 1998 Bell 47-D1
N1016A
Monticello, Mississippi, United States Paul M. Trost No injuries -
10 Jun 1998 Bell 47G
N73284
Le Center, Minnesota, United States - Serious injuries -
17 Aug 1998 Bell 47G
N2795A
Monette, Arkansas, United States - No injuries -
20 Apr 1998 Bell 47G-3B-1
N80SD
Sedro Wooley, Washington, United States Helfenberger, Daniel, E. No injuries -
30 Jul 1998 Bell 47G-2
N90529
Plainview, Minnesota, United States - No injuries -

All 1,633 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Jul 1998 Cessna TU206G
N102AK
Midvale, Utah, United States - No injuries -
4 Feb 1998 Cessna 210A
N9489X
Morgan, Utah, United States TOM A. Hayes No injuries -
3 Sep 1998 Cessna 172
N8232B
West Jordan, Utah, United States - Fatal 2
12 Mar 1998 Piper PA-34-200
N83DA
Ogden, Utah, United States - No injuries -
21 Mar 1998 Zito ZMI-A
N669Z
Ogden, Utah, United States - Minor injuries -
3 Oct 1998 Bell 206B
N992SM
Vernal, Utah, United States Enterprise Aviation, Inc. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States