Bell 47G-3B-2 accident near Spanish Fork, UT
On January 14, 1998, a Bell 47G-3B-2 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, UT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 14, 1998
- Place
- Spanish Fork, UT
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-2 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 40.021°N, 111.549°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09424
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 14, 1998, approximately 1300 mountain standard time, a Bell 47G-3B-2 helicopter, N1461W, impacted terrain while maneuvering at 8,400 feet above mean sea level (msl), approximately 57 miles southeast of Spanish Fork, Utah near Soldier Summit, Utah. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, his passenger fatal injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this public use flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight had been airborne approximately an hour, after refueling, when the accident occurred. According to the pilot, the flight was a coyote hunt under a contract with the Department of Agriculture. He said they were flying in a draw, approximately 150 feet above ground level, tracking a coyote and when he pulled up to turn, he heard a "clunk" and the helicopter lost all power. The helicopter struck a large pine tree and the pilot said he lost consciousness for about one minute. When he regained consciousness, he checked his passenger for vital signs and found none. He said the emergency locator transmitter activated automatically and he attempted to radio for help. The accident occurred in a remote area covered by deep snow. Search aircraft found the accident site at 1700 and a snow cat removed the pilot and passenger about 0600 on January 15, 1998. INJURIES TO PERSONS According to the medical examiner, the passenger received fatal blunt force trauma injuries when the helicopter struck a tree, which entered the right side of the cockp
Probable cause
A total loss of power due to repeated engine overspeeds. A related factor was unsuitable terrain.
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Browse: Utah · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
