# Accident 20090811017449A: Bell 47G2A, Bangor Townshi, MI, August 11, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 11, 2009, 15:30 local time
- Place: Bangor Townshi, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.2569° N, 86.2197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2569&lon=-86.2197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9526, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9526) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-2A (registry code 1181012, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 800 total, 40 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN09CA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA517) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090811017449A

## Narrative

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

THE BELL 47 DEPARTED RENSSELAR, IN AIRPORT (RZL) AFTER TOPPING OFF BOTH FUEL TANKS, ENROUTE TO WABASIS LAKE AIRPORT (M180) IN GREENVILLE, MI.  AT APPROX 1530 EDT, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/POWER LOSS.  THE PILOT ENTERED INTO AUTOROTATIOIN TO LAND IN A FIELD.  DURING THE FLARE TO LANDING, THE TAIL STRUCK A POST IN THE FIELD THAT WAS ABOUT 6 FEET HIGH.  THE PILOT CORRECTED FOR THIS SUDDEN PITCH CHANGE AND DROPPED THE COLLECTIVE TO GET THE AIRCRAFT DOWN.  THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED, THE SKID CROSS BEAMS WERE BUCKLED, AND THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION MOUNT STRUCTURE SUSTAINED CRACKS AND DEFORMATION.  STATE POLICE FIRST ON SCENE, VERIFIED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FULL.  FAA INVESTIGATION FOUND THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM TOTALLY BLOCKED AT THE RIGHT TANK, MOSTLY BLOCKED AT THE LOWER COMMON DRAIN AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED FROM THE T-FITTING TO THE LEFT TANK.

## 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 CEN09CA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA517), Aug 11, 2009: Bell 47G-2A (N9526), Covert, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blocked fuel vents.

## Other reports on N9526 (2)

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

- [Accident 20170820013489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170820013489A), Aug 20, 2017: Bell 47G-2A (N9526), Saint Marys, PA, Substantial damage. The PIC / student pilot was flying solo for approximately 1.5 hours on the day the accident occurred. He stated that he was flying to and from the airport…
- [Accident 19770928028759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770928028759A), Sep 28, 1977: Bell 47G2A (N9526), Big Plaines, OH, Substantial damage. Cooling fan damaged when retaining nut backed off.

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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