Bell 47G-2 N2483B

Summary

On 7 July 2002 at about 18:45 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N2483B was involved in an accident near Compton, California, United States. 2 people were 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

7 July 2002 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Compton, California, United States

Nearest airport

Compton/Woodley Airport (CPM)

Coordinates

33.8833, -118.2333

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2

Registration

N2483B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Compton → Compton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA218

Nobody was injured.

the failure and separation of a fan belt for the engine cooling system. A factor in the accident was the inadequate annual inspection 14 hours prior to the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter experienced a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and collided with power lines during a precautionary landing. The pilot felt a severe vibration and noted a drop in the helicopter's rotor rpm. As the vibrations continued, he manipulated the flight controls in an effort to maintain a controlled descent and began an autorotation. While searching for a suitable landing area, about 200 feet agl, he noticed that power lines were in the helicopter's path. He maneuvered the helicopter in a unsuccessful effort to avoid the power lines, and landed hard in a dirt field. A mechanic with inspection authorization (IA), who regularly worked on the helicopter, conducted an examination after the accident. He stated that a fan belt used in the integral system for cooling the engine had either broken or come loose. As a result, the belt wrapped around the pulley, which caused the transmission to drag. He noted that the engine ran fine after the accident, and the fuel system was free of particulates and contaminates. He said that he completed the annual inspection for the helicopter about 14 hours prior to the accident, at which time he believed that he examined the belts. He further stated the helicopter was stored outside, in a corrosive environment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.