Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Stanwood, WA
On April 2, 2000, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Stanwood, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 2, 2000
- Place
- Stanwood, WA
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 48.210°N, 122.279°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20910
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 2, 2000, approximately 1150 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N3377H, registered to and being operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it struck a fence and terrain following a rotor RPM loss while in cruise approximately three nautical miles southeast of Stanwood, Washington. The pilot, occupying the left seat, sustained minor injuries. The center passenger sustained serious injuries and her husband, occupying the right seat, sustained fatal injuries. A post-crash fire consumed a portion of the helicopter. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The trip was a sightseeing flight which was to have been conducted within 25 nautical miles of the departure airport, in accordance with 14 CFR 135.1(a)(5). The flight departed Arlington, Washington, approximately 1105 after picking up the two passengers. The pilot was telephonically interviewed on April 3, 2000, and reported that after departing Arlington and flying towards the coast and then north to the mouth of the Stillaguamish River he turned inland to follow the river (refer to CHART I provided by the pilot). He reported that he was flying about 60-70 mph. Shortly after crossing the bridge (refer to CHART II) he heard a little "clunk" sound and then the engine started to race (RPM increased above what he normally saw for this type of flight regime). There was no vibration, coughing, sputtering or other engine indications. As the engine RPM increased the (main) Rotor RPM began to decay. This all occurred in a very short time (2 seconds
Probable cause
The disengagement of the oil jet fitting from its threaded receptacle at the forward end of the engine crankshaft. This resulted in excessive oil within the clutch assembly, the subsequent slipping of the clutch, and ultimately the disengagement of the rotor drive system from the engine. Contributing factors were the pilot's not maintaining clearance from the electric fences which were also hidden
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Browse: Washington · 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.
