Bell 47G-3B1 accident near Goldendale, Washington, June 26, 1991
On June 26, 1991 at about 12:28 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B1 (helicopter), registered N7859S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goldendale, Washington. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF FUEL SUPPLY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 1991 · about 12:28 pm local time
- Place
- Goldendale, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B1 · all 47G-3B1s on the register
- Registration
- N7859S · no longer on the register · serial 6626
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE TURBINE-POWERED BELL 47G-3B1 WAS APPROACHING THE REMOTE LANDING ZONE WHEN THE HELICOPTER PITCHED DOWN AND TURNED LEFT. THE PILOT CALLED MAYDAY BEFORE THE HELICOPTER STRUCK TREES. LESS THAN TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,861 hours in all; 877 in this make and model; 88 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 5,570 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Western Helicopter Services
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.