# Accident 20020524019919A: Bell 47G4, Muncie, IN, May 24, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 24, 2002, 15:20 local time
- Place: Muncie, IN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.1299° N, 85.3804° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1299&lon=-85.3804&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1915B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1915B-2015-04-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-4 (registry code 1181030, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI02LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA142) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020524019919A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON MAY 24, 2002, AT 1420 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, HELICOPTER BELL 47G-4, N1915B, OWNED AND PILOTED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER IN MUNCIE, INDIANA. THE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED AT AN OFF-AIRPORT SITE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT AND THE ONE PASSENGER REPORTED NO INJURIES. THE FLIGHT WAS TO DEPART FROM MUNCIE, INDIANA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND HAD THE INTENDED DESTINATION OF INDIANAPOLIS BROOKSIDE AIRPARK (L21), INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. (-23) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A PARKING LOT THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A LIGHT POLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAKE OFF PATH AND CRASHED. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT BURNT.

## 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 CHI02LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA142), May 24, 2002: Bell 47G-4 (N1915B), Muncie, IN, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain directional control during hover taxi. Inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the light rain, and the light pole were factors in the accident.

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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