Accident Bell 47G2 C-FISH,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 379050
 
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Date:Wednesday 4 July 1984
Time:16:15 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic B47G model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Bell 47G2
Owner/operator:Arrow Smith Limited
Registration: C-FISH
MSN: 1522
Total airframe hrs:11482 hours
Engine model:Lycoming VO-435-A1E
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Category:Accident
Location:Detroit, MI -   United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:Executive
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
THE ACFT LANDED IN THE DETROIT RIVER AFTER THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE ACFT VIBRATED. THE PLT REDUCED PWR & COLLECTIVE AND PUSHED THE CYCLIC FORWARD. THE RPM REDUCED FROM 3000 TO 2500 BUT THE ROTOR AND ENGINE RPM REMAINED MARRIED. THE PLT ADJUSTED DESCENT WITH COLLECTIVE, FORWARD SPEED WITH CYCLIC AND PULLED ALL COLLECTIVE JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. ONE PASSENGER DESCRIBED A SPUTTERING NOISE BUT SAID THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. ANOTHER PASSENGER DESCRIBED THE ENGINE NOISE AS A MUFFLED MISFIRING SOUND. THE PASSENGERS ALSOSAID THE PLT DID NOT MENTION THE PROBLEM TO THEM AND THE HELICOPTER SEEMED UNDER CONTROL UNTIL IMPACT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE WATER SHOWED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN AND CONTAINED A HEAVY BUILD-UP OF CARBON AND LEAD. NEAR THE OPERATORS HANGER WERE 5 SEALED AND 1 UNSEALED FUEL DRUMS WITH STANDING WATER ON THE TOPS. NO OTHER EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CHI84LA279
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB CHI84LA279

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
31-Mar-2024 15:10 ASN Update Bot Added

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