On April 2, 1990, a Bell 47G-3B-2 (registration N9449J) operated by Western Helicopter Service was involved in an aviation accident near Hillsboro, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to insufficient fuel on board, which resulted in the loss of engine power and a subsequent hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced sudden engine failure during a turn while conducting aerial application operations, resulting in a hard landing on rough terrain due to fuel exhaustion.
What happened
During an aerial application flight, the pilot reported that the engine suddenly quit while the aircraft was executing a turn. The helicopter subsequently landed hard on rough terrain.
The investigation
A post-crash inspection of the helicopter revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions. The examination determined that the helicopter contained less than the unusable amount of fuel at the time of the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The lack of usable fuel led to the sudden loss of engine power during the critical phase of flight.
Probable cause
Fuel exhaustion due to insufficient fuel on board, which resulted in the loss of engine power and a subsequent hard landing.
What happened in the 2 Apr 1990 Bell 47G-3B-2 accident near Hillsboro, OR?
A helicopter experienced sudden engine failure during a turn while conducting aerial application operations, resulting in a hard landing on rough terrain due to fuel exhaustion.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Apr 1990 involved a Bell 47G-3B-2, registration N9449J, operated by Western Helicopter Service, at Hillsboro, OR.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Fuel exhaustion due to insufficient fuel on board, which resulted in the loss of engine power and a subsequent hard landing.
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…