Aviation Accident Summary SEA92LA141

WENATCHEE, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N17301

Bell-World 47D1

Analysis

WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM A HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DECAYING RPM AND ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE TAILBOOM IMPACTED A TREE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICING AS THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET HIGHER THAN THE WENATCHEE AIRPORT WHICH LIES 5 MILES NORTHEAST. THE SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION AT THE AIRPORT TAKEN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT RECORDED A 63/59 DEGREE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WITH BROKEN/OVERCAST CEILINGS. THE BASE CEILING (BROKEN) WAS REPORTED AT 1800 FEET ABOVE THE AIRPORT ELEVATION.

Probable Cause and Findings

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND TREE(S).

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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