# Accident 20170820013489A: Bell 47G-2A, Saint Marys, PA, August 20, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2017, 12:10 local time
- Place: Saint Marys, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.4078° N, 78.5617° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4078&lon=-78.5617&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 47G-2A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA285) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170820013489A

## Narrative

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

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 SIGHTSEEING AS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THE PIC/STUDENT PILOT WAS BEING SUPERVISED BY A CFI.

HE STATED THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND HE WAS FORCED TO AUTOROTATE INTO A SMALL OPEN FIELD.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES FOR HIMSELF OR ANYONE ON THE GROUND.

THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED  SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

BOTH SKIDS WERE SPLAYED OUT AND THE FUSELAGE WAS RESTING ON THE GROUND, THE FUSELAGE IS TWISTED AND TAIL BOOM SUFFERED DAMAGE. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS SEPERATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

BOTH MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE BROKEN FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND HAD IMPACTED THE CANOPY.

INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT LESS THAN APPROXIMATLY1/2 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE TANKS. THE FUEL GUAGE INDICATED PROPERLY AT ZERO. NO FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE OR CONTROLS.

## 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 ERA17LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA285), Aug 20, 2017: Bell 47G (N9526), St Marys, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate prefight planning and en route fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N9526 (2)

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

- [Accident 20090811017449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090811017449A), Aug 11, 2009: Bell 47G2A (N9526), Bangor Townshi, MI, Substantial damage. 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…
- [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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