On July 24, 1987, a Bell 47G3 (registration N6355) operated by Cornelius M.throwbridge,iii was involved in an aviation accident near Marston Mills, MA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter lost power at about 50 feet during takeoff, leading to a hard landing and substantial damage. Investigation found fuel present but no reason for the power loss.
Incident Overview
A helicopter experienced a sudden loss of power after reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The pilot immediately initiated an emergency landing and set the helicopter down. The aircraft struck the ground hard, resulting in substantial damage.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that fuel was present in the fuel tanks, ruling out fuel starvation. Weather conditions at the time were deemed conducive to carburetor icing during glide power settings, though not during takeoff power. Despite a thorough investigation, no definitive cause was identified to explain the loss of engine power.
What happened in the 24 Jul 1987 Bell 47G3 accident near Marston Mills, MA?
A helicopter lost power at about 50 feet during takeoff, leading to a hard landing and substantial damage. Investigation found fuel present but no reason for the power loss.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Jul 1987 involved a Bell 47G3, registration N6355, operated by Cornelius M.throwbridge,iii, at Marston Mills, MA.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…