Bell 47G accident near Atoka, Tennessee, June 15, 2020
On June 15, 2020 at about 1:30 am local time, a 1968 Bell 47G (helicopter), registered N473TT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Atoka, Tennessee (Burnett airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a blocked fuel line; the reason for the blockage could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2020 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Atoka, Tennessee · Burnett · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G 3B1, built 1968 · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- N473TT · registry record · serial 3730
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had conducted eight brief (7- to 8-minute) nonrevenue passenger flights uneventfully on the day of the accident. The helicopter was fueled before the eighth flight. During the ninth flight, the helicopter’s engine lost total power when the helicopter was about 1.5 miles north of the heliport and was descending through an altitude of 900 ft mean sea level. The pilot executed an autorotation and landed in a field. On touchdown, the main rotor blade struck the tailboom. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions except for the fuel line to the carburetor, which had collapsed. A borsescope inspection revealed that light could not be observed through the fuel line. The borescope was then pushed through the fuel line, and no contaminates were found. A subsequent metallurgical examination of the fuel line revealed no blockages; no damage to the interior of the hose; and no evidence of kinks, creases, or material creep. The blocked fuel line likely resulted in the loss of engine power; however, the reason for the blockage could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,145 hours in all; 1,220 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 10,950 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 30, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,125 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 23, 2020; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming V0-435-A1F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: A&F Aviation Services Llc
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 22, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.