# Accident 20010522010809A: Bell 407, Schoolcraft, MI, May 22, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 22, 2001, 17:00 local time
- Place: Schoolcraft, MI
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.1095° N, 85.6298° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1095&lon=-85.6298&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5259N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5259N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C47 series (registry code 03029, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI01LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA145) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010522010809A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19)ON MAY 22, 2001, AT 1700 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A BELL 407, N5259N, WAS INVOLVED IN A GROUND ACCIDENT AFTER LANDING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IN SCHOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN. A PASSENGER WHO HAD BEEN SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER WAS FATALLY INJURED WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE UPON EXITING THE HELICOPTER. THE PRIVATE PILOT AT THE CONTROLS WAS NOT INJURED NOR WAS THE HELICOPTER DAMAGED. THE 14 CFR PART 91 BUSINESS FLIGHT WAS PREPARING TO DEPART FOR SCOTTS, MICHIGAN, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. (-23)AIRCRAFT LANDED AT PRIVATE RESIDENCE TO LET 2 PASSENGERS OFF.  WHILE PILOT AT CONTROLS AND ENGINE RUNNING, PASSENGER EXITED HELICOPTER TO RIGHT SIDE AND WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD WITH MAIN ROTOR BLADE.  PASSENGER WAS HELICOPTER RATED PRIVATE PILOT WHO WAS CO-OWNER OF COMPANY THIS HELICOPTER IS REGISTERED TO.  PASSENGER DECEASED AT SCENE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI01LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA145), May 22, 2001: Bell Helicopter 407 (N5259N), Schoolcraft, MI, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot rated passenger failed to maintain clearance with the rotor blades as he exited the helicopter.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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