ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 360784
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Tuesday 1 March 1994 |
| Time: | 17:35 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 47G-5 |
| Owner/operator: | Pac Leasing Corp |
| Registration: | N7043J |
| MSN: | 25020 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1970 |
| Engine model: | LYCOMING VO-435-B1A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Plymouth, MA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN THE BELL 47 HELICOPTER FROM A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI). AFTER A 1.5 HOUR DUAL INSTRUCTION FLIGHT, THE STUDENT AND THE CFI RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT TO REFUEL, AND WERE PLANNING TO DEPART AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TRAINING FLIGHT. AFTER LANDING, THE HELICOPTER WAS LEFT IDLING WITH THE RSP AT THE CONTROLS WHILE THE CFI EXITED THE HELICOPTER TO RETRIEVE THE FUEL TRUCK. THE CFI RETURNED WITH THE FUEL TRUCK, RE-FUELED THE HELICOPTER AND WAS RETURNING THE FUEL HOSE TO THE TRUCK WHEN THE TURNING ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE HOSE AND FUEL TRUCK. THE HOSE IN TURN STRUCK THE CFI. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED ABOUT 3.5 FEET FROM THE TURNING ROTOR BLADES, AND COMPANY POLICY MANDATED A MINIMUM OF A 10 FOOT CLEARANCE. RE-ENACTMENT OF THE HOSE STOWAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TRUCK SHOWED A TENDENCY FOR THE HOSE TO DEFLECT UP INTO THE ROTOR TIP PATH PLANE.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance of the fuel truck from the aircraft, which resulted in the main rotor striking the fuel hose and truck during refueling operation. A factor was the pilot's failure to follow company policy pertaining to the refueling of aircraft.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB NYC94LA050
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 24 June 1973 | N7043J | St Louis Polic | 0 | St Louis, MO | |
w/o |
| Law Enforcement | ||||||
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Mar-2024 11:05 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation