Aviation Accident Summary LAX91LA008

MERCED, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N477JM

BELL 47G4

Analysis

AFTER WASHING THE HELICOPTER THE PILOT TOOK-OFF ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT OVER HIS RANCH. A GROUND WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE STOP AND OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTERS ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN HE FIRST OBSERVED IT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

Probable Cause and Findings

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports