# Accident 20030627028979A: Bell 47G5A, Sandusky, MI, June 27, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 27, 2003, 21:00 local time
- Place: Sandusky, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.4564° N, 82.8397° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4564&lon=-82.8397&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8413D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8413D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-5A (registry code 1181034, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5A
- Reported engine: LYC VO435*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,600 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA184) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030627028979A

## Narrative

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

(-23) AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE @ APPROX 400' AGL ENTERED AUTOROTATION LANDED IN BEAN FIELD TAIL BOOM BENT. TR BLADES BENT SKID TUBES BENT BACK. ACFT INTACT. PILOT NOT INJURED, 2 PAX MINOR INJURY.

## 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 CHI03LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA184), Jun 28, 2003: Bell 47G-5A (N8413D), Sandusky, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the ignition switch leading to an engine power loss in cruise flight and the subsequent high flare during autorotation. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's…

## Other reports on N8413D (1)

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

- [Incident 19880325019619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880325019619I), Mar 25, 1988: Bell 47G5A (N8413D), Charlotte, MI, Minor damage. Student had a tail rotor strike and a hard landing resulted while trying to hover. CFI failed to correct.

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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