Bell 47G-4A accident near Yauco, PR
On May 25, 2002, a Bell 47G-4A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Yauco, PR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 25, 2002
- Place
- Yauco, PR
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-4A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 18.008°N, 66.563°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020530X00771
Official records · ATL02FA107
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 25, 2002, at 1240 eastern standard time, a Bell 47G-4A helicopter, N6SR, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with two parked automobiles and burst into flames as the pilot attempted a precautionary landing in Yauco, Puerto Rico. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was destroyed. The right-seated owner/passenger was fatally injured, the center-seated passenger received serious injuries, and the private pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Isabella, Puerto Rico at 1100. 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, veered to the right, and collided with a parked vehicle. The helicopter came to rest on the left side. The helicopter and two parked vehicles burst into flames. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Review of information of file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot was issued a private pilot certificate on September 20, 1991, with ratings for airplane single engine land and airplane multi-engine land. Review of records on file with FAA Aero medical Records, Ok
Probable cause
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.
More accidents in PR
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Browse: Puerto Rico · 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.
