Bell 47G-4A N6SR

Summary

On 25 May 2002 at about 17:40 local time, a Bell 47G-4A registered N6SR was involved in an accident near Yauco, United States. 3 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 May 2002 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Yauco, United States

Coordinates

18.0081, -66.5631

Aircraft

Bell 47G-4A

Registration

N6SR

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Isabella → Salines

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02FA107

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While enroute to his intended destination, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power and engine oil pressure and elected to make a precautionary landing to investigate. The pilot selected a parking lot with an approximate 25-degree upslope for the landing area. Approximately five seconds after the initial touchdown in the parking lot, the helicopter started to slide rearward and veered to the right colliding with a parked vehicle. The helicopter came to rest on its side. The helicopter and two parked vehicles burst into flames. The examination of the engine assembly and airframe remains revealed no evidence of pre-impact component failure or system malfunction. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot did not report using carburetor heat at any point during the flight. Review of information on file with the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and airplane multi-engine land. The pilot's logbook showed that he had accumulated 2,289 hours total flight time with 295 hours of flight time in the accident aircraft make and model. The pilot did not hold a helicopter pilot's rating.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.