# Accident 20160420006219A: Bell 47D1, Lancaster, PA, April 20, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 20, 2016, 11:30 local time
- Place: Lancaster, PA
- Airport: Deck
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.0000° N, 76.0000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0000&lon=-76.0000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N202CH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N202CH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47D1 (registry code 1180802, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,003 total, 31 in this make and model, 134 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA167) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160420006219A

## Narrative

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

THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING AN AUTO ROTATION WHILE CONDUCTING A FLIGHT REVIEW.  THE MANEUVER WAS INITIATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL).  DURING THE MANEUVER, THE CFI WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ENGINE AND ROTOR INDICATIONS AND INITIATED A POWER RECOVERY BY INCREASING THE THROTTLE.  AS THE CFI INCREASED THE THROTTLE, THE CFI NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY.  THE CFI FLARED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AGL AND CONTINUED TO APPLY THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE.  AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 FEET AGL, THE HELICOPTER LOST LIFT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## 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 ERA16LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA167), Apr 20, 2016: Bell 47D1 (N202CH), Myerstown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Other reports on N202CH (3)

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

- [Incident 19900419020749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900419020749I), Apr 19, 1990: Bell 47D1 (N202CH), North Myrtle Be, SC, Minor damage. Engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. Made a power off autoratation onto a road.
- [Incident 19880720053589I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880720053589I), Jul 20, 1988: Bell 47G2A (N202CH), North Myrtle Be, SC, Minor damage. Severe vibration when tail rotor blade departed. Autorotation to landing. Gear box lost. Blade separated from grip.
- [Accident 19870425011399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870425011399A), Apr 25, 1987: Bell 47G2 (N202CH), Rolling Fork, MS, Substantial damage. The helicopter landed hard and rolled over after a downwind approach.

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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