LAX86LA203

Factual narrative

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD IN THE DESERT WHILE ON A VFR PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE JUST DEPARTED A MOUNTIAN AREA FOR REFUELING. HE ALSO INDICATED HE WAS DISORIENTED AND THE COMPASS WAS INOPERABLE. HE DECIDED TO LAND AND CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY. HE STATED HE MISJUDGED THE LANDING, THE TAIL HIT THE DESERT FLOOR AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. APRX 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE BELL 47G, THE FUEL CAPACITY IS 43 GALLONS TOTAL WITH 41 GALLONS USABLE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12