19950619022669A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Bell 47J2A · Elkhorn, WI · June 19, 1995

Date: June 19, 1995 · 14:40 local
Place: Elkhorn, WI
Phase of flight: Pwr Off Run Land (Autorotation
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N470RA
NTSB investigation: NTSBCHI95LA187
Reported as: Bell 47J2A
Reported engine: Lycoming VO540B1B3
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 0

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Lost power at cruise. Autorotated. During flare rotors hit tail drive shaft. NR2 cyl valve failed. Improper flare. (-23) inflight (cruise) engine failure- aircraft sustained substantial damage during autorotation landing. Engine failure was caused by a failed #2 cylinder intake valve wheel, caused severe damage to the cylinder and piston.

As the FAA filed it

LOST POWER AT CRUISE. AUTOROTATED. DURING FLARE ROTORS HIT TAIL DRIVE SHAFT. NR2 CYL VALVE FAILED. IMPROPER FLARE. (-23) INFLIGHT (CRUISE) ENGINE FAILURE- AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AUTOROTATION LANDING. ENGINE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED #2 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE WHEEL, CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER AND PISTON.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CHI95LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportElkhorn, WIloss of power as a result of an intake valve failure due to improper maintenance performed during the major engine overhaul, and pilot misjudgment of the flare during autorotation.Jun 19, 1995 · Substantial damage