# NTSB ATL01LA075: Bell 47, N8478D, Indianola, MS, July 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2001, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Indianola, MS - Coordinates: 33.45066, -90.749534 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4507&lon=-90.7495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52666 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52666/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of flight controls during an autorotation that resulted inn the collapse of the skids and cross tube assembly. A factor was the loss of engine power due to the failure of # 1 connecting rod and the overload failure of the skids and cross tub assembly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - failure (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Roll over, emergency descent/landing - aircraft control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while enroute to the next field to be sprayed, at 500 feet, the engine lost power. After attempts to restore full power, the pilot selected a nearby field. During the autorotative touchdown, the helicopter rolled over on the right side. During the engine examination, metal particles were recovered from the engine oil pump screen and the engine oil filter element. Further examination showed that # 1 cylinder connecting rod cap was wedged between the second crankshaft lobe and the engine case. The examination of the helicopter also revealed that the landing skid and cross-tubs were fractured into several pieces. The fracture examination showed all fractures were in overload. The engine had accumulated a total of 935.1 hours since the last major overhaul. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2001, at 1030 central daylight time, a Bell 47 helicopter, N8478D, registered to Talon Air, Inc., collided with the ground and rolled over during an autorotation following a loss of engine power near Indianola, Mississippi. The aerial application flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Indianola, Mississippi, at 1025. The pilot reported that while enroute to the next field to be sprayed, at 500 feet, the engine lost power. After attempts to restore full power were not successful, the pilot selected a nearby field for an autorotation. The pilot stated the autorotative maneuver was normal, but when the helicopter touched down, it rolled over on the right side. During the engine examination, metal particles were recovered from the engine oil pump screen and the engine oil filter element. Examination of the engine assembly approximately four to six ounces of water were recovered from the airframe fuel system. During the subsequent engine teardown examination, a large hole was discovered in the engine case adjacent to the No. 1 cylinder. Further examination showed the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod cap was wedged between the second crankshaft lobe and the engine case. The examination of the helicopter also revealed that the landing skid and cross-tubs were fractured into several pieces. The fracture examination showed all fractures were in overload. A review of the airframe and engine maintenance logs showed that the airframe had accumulated 10,378 flight hours. The engine had accumulated a total of 935.1 hours since the last major overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8478D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8478D), registered now, S/N 1697, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1697 - Airframe hours: 10378.2 - Engines: Lycoming OV-435-A1D 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Talon Air Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Indianola, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 600 total, 300 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: GWO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010710015149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010710015149A), Jul 10, 2001: Bell 47, Indianola, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) While enroute from Indianola, MS. To itta bena, MS., to spray a cotton field, the engine sputtered and quit. The acft. Was at approx. 550 to 600 feet AGL… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.