Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Garey, California, February 23, 2024
On February 23, 2024 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 1966 Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N2618W, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Garey, California (Santa Maria airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the loosening of the B-nut, a loss of engine power at a low altitude, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2024 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Garey, California · Santa Maria · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1, built 1966 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N2618W · registry record · serial 6580
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter was applying a chemical to a field when the engine sustained a loss of power. The pilot entered an autorotation and the helicopter descended to the terrain, where it rolled onto its right side substantially damaging the main rotor system and severing the tailboom. Postaccident examination of the pneumatic air lines revealed that there was a slight air leak at the accumulator and a large air leak at a pneumatic air line (Pc) between the power turbine governor (PTG) and the fuel control unit (FCU); the Pc line was not connected to the FCU. The B-nut connecting the Pc line to the FCU had backed off, allowing the Pc line to become disconnected. . This Pc line is one of several lines that use air pressure to communicate fuel scheduling commands between the PTG and the FCU. The security of this line is necessary for proper engine operation. Engine operation without the Pc line properly connected would result in the FCU reducing fuel to a sub-idle condition, preventing the engine from producing sufficient power for continued flight. No other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. Maintenance was performed on the helicopter 15 days and 29.2 flight hours before the accident that included checking all B-nuts for torque paint to ensure adequate torque remained on the B-nuts. Maintenance personnel likely did not properly inspect the condition of the torque paint on the affected B-nut, which resulted in a disconnection of the B-nut from the FCU and a total loss of engine power.
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 (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Attain/maintain not possible
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 15,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 2, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,450.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 8, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250 SERIES (turboshaft); 6,513 hours total
- Operator: English Air Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: SMX Santa Maria CA at 2:45 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 am from KSMX, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSMX 231551Z 00000KT 9SM BKN200 08/07 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP191 T00780072
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR24LA093.