# Accident 20010705016439A: Bell 47D1, Riverside, CA, July 5, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 5, 2001, 17:01 local time
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Airport: Riverside Municipal
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.9500° N, 117.4500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9500&lon=-117.4500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N64580, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64580-2017-07-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell-Transworld Helicopters 47D1 (registry code 1180845, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-transworld-helicopters-47d1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A&6V335 series (registry code 27020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX01FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA236) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010705016439A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON JULY 5, 2001, AT 1701 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A BELL 47D-1, N64580, EXPERIENCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE AIRPORT AT RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ZEMLOCK HELICOPTERS WAS OPERATING THE HELICOPTER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT DEPARTED CHINO, CALIFORNIA, ABOUT 1630. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACCIDENT COORDINATOR INTERVIEWED THE PILOT. THE PILOT SAID HE ENTERED THE LANDING PATTERN AND COMPLETED TWO UNEVENTFUL PATTERNS. DURING THE THIRD APPROACH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT SAW A NEEDLE SPLIT WITH THE ENGINE NEEDLE FALLING BELOW ROTOR RPM. HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE PILOT COMPLETED AN AUTOROTATION THAT TERMINATED IN A HARD LANDING. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH AND THE PILOT SHUT IT DOWN. BOTH MAIN ROTOR BLADES EXHIBITED LEADING EDGE DAMAGE TO THEIR TIPS. THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHORTSHAFT WAS ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE F USELAGE. THE ACCIDENT COORDINATOR OBSERVED SCUFF MARKS ON THE SHORTSHAFT AND THE STRUCTURE BELOW THE SHORTSHAFT.                                     (-23) DURING APPROACH TO PRACTICE PAD AT RAL THE HELICOPTER ENGINE DEVELOPED LOSS OF POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION. AUTOROTATION TO DIRT FIELD WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO BOTH ROTOR BLADES, TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION SHOWED CRANKSHAFT BROKEN AT #2 THROW.

## 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 LAX01FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA236), Jul 6, 2001: Bell 47D-1 (N64580), Riverside, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The engine crankshaft's failure as the result of fatigue cracking initiated by surface damage and localized overheating due to the installation at overhaul of incorrectly sized bearings.

## Other reports on N64580 (4)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20030901036529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030901036529A), Sep 1, 2003: Bell 47D1 (N64580), Chino, CA, Destroyed. (-23) While practicing a running landings in a BH-47 a student pilot failed to touch down in a level attitude. The aircraft initially contacted the surface…
- [Incident 20020622014459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020622014459I), Jun 22, 2002: Bell 47D1 (N64580), Chino, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On Saturday 22nd June at around 14:30, the pilot reported that he lifted the helicopter into a hover and moved over the grass area in front of a hangar…
- [Accident 19790519011129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790519011129A), May 19, 1979: Bell 47D1 (N64580), Middleville, MI, Substantial damage. Engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion while enroute on a ferry flight. Made hard autorotation landing>
- [Accident 19770721019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770721019199A), Jul 21, 1977: Bell 47D1 (N64580), Byron Center, MI, Substantial damage

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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