20130628013159A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Bell 47D1 · Lake Ozark, MO · June 28, 2013

Date: June 28, 2013 · 12:20 local
Place: Lake Ozark, MO
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Operator: LOHJ
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N78900
NTSB investigation: NTSBCEN13LA396
Reported as: Bell 47D1
Reported engine: Franklin 6V-335-6B
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
Pilot’s flight hours: 639 total19 in this make and model212 in the last 90 days

N78900Registered now · Bell 47D1S/N 480 · Built 1952 Airframe modelBell 47D1 Engine modelFranklin 6V4 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Pilot stated that during cruise flight at 1500 MSL the engine sputtered. In response he rolled the throttle on and the engine came back on, then seconds later the engine quit completely. Pilot initiated an autorotation and landed in a clearing at 1062 susan road, Lake Ozark, Missouri. Pilot and passenger were not injured. Aircraft received substantial damage.

As the FAA filed it

PILOT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1500 MSL THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. IN RESPONSE HE ROLLED THE THROTTLE ON AND THE ENGINE CAME BACK ON, THEN SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY. PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION AND LANDED IN A CLEARING AT 1062 SUSAN ROAD, LAKE OZARK, MISSOURI. PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CEN13LA396Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake Ozark, MOThe improper rebuild and maintenance of the helicopter and inadequate subsequent inspections, which resulted in undetected fuel contamination and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight.Jun 28, 2013 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N78900 · 3

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

Accident 19951112036359AShafter, CADeparted to spray water over trees to rinse system. Crashed and burned. Had unauthorized passenger on board.Nov 12, 1995 · Destroyed · 2 fatal Accident 19800309005569ALow Level Operations · Salinas, CALost cyclic control on swath turn. Made hard landing. Broken horn rotor hub grip possible cause.Mar 9, 1980 · Substantial damage Accident 19780917028729ATo Vertical (Helicopter Only) · Castroville, CACollective pitch became uncontrollable. Main rotor shaft and retai nut scuffed and out of roundSep 17, 1978 · Reported as Bell 47B3 · Substantial damage