19990815012069A

Acft made an emergency landing after the engine quit, and the acft sustained substantial damage on landing. (.19) on August 15, 1999, at 1916 eastern daylight time, a brantly b- 2B, N2238U, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed a restricted landing area near Jackson, Michigan, exact time unknown. The pilot reported the helicopter's engine "...sputtered..." During flight. He said he decided not to land because the engine power returned and appeared normal. According to the pilot, the engine stopped running a short time after the first event. The pilot said he was making an autorotation to a forced landing when the helicopter collided with the ground. (-23)privacy data omitted had taken off from his farm, located next to day filed, napolean, MI, and was flying solo on a local flight. When flying at about 1000 feet above the ground, the engine started to sputter. privacy data omitted Was trying to determine the cause and maintain adequate airspeed to control the helicopter. At about 500 feet above the ground the engine quit. An autorotation was attempted and resulted in a hard landing. The helicopter hit its tail on landing and the rotor blades sliced into the tail cone. The helicopter rolled on to its left side and the main rotor blades separated at the flapping hing midway down the blade. The tail rotor and gear box separated from the helicopter. Pilot turned off electrical and fuel and cut seat belt and exited aircraft. There was no fire. Subsequent investigation of the engine failure showed a mud dobber had plugged the vent to the fuel system. The fuel cap is not vented.