# NTSB ATL07LA052: Bell 47G2A, N471KC, Huntsville, AL, March 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 2007, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Huntsville, AL - Coordinates: 34.945835, -86.531669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9458&lon=-86.5317&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65482 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65482/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA052 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - muddy ## Analysis The pilot stated that he purchased a helicopter and did not register it. During a local flight he noticed a loss in rotor rpm. He executed an autorotation, landed hard into soft mud, and nosed over. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter burst into flames and was consumed by postcrash fire. A review of the purchase agreement from the seller, signed by the purchaser revealed that the helicopter was "sold as parts." Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The examination of the engine and system components did not revealed any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction, and the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 2007 at 0905 central daylight time, a Bell 47G2A, N471KC registered to a previous owner and not registered by the current owner, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 personal flight, lost engine power and collided with the ground during an autorotation near Huntsville, Alabama. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and postcrash fire damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Madison County Executive Airport, Huntsville, Alabama, at 0900. The pilot stated that he had purchased the helicopter 2 days prior to the accident, and did not register it in his name. He said that on the day of the accident he decided to take his friend over to the Moontown Airport, Huntsville, Alabama (3M5), which was a short flight. While enroute to 3M5, he noticed that the main rotor rpm began to decrease. He tried to maintain straight and level flight but the main rotor and engine rpm continued to decrease. He entered an autorotation about 400 feet above ground level, landed hard into soft mud, and nosed over. Shortly thereafter, he and the passenger exited the helicopter, and it burst into flames. According to the previous owner, the helicopter was sold to the pilot for parts. He said that the helicopter was modified and was in an experimental condition. He also said that the pilot told him that once he returned home with the helicopter he would not fly it. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the helicopter was not registered to the pilot, and did not display N-numbers in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation 45.23. According to the FAA inspector, at the time of the accident the helicopter held a current airworthiness certificate. Examination of the helicopter revealed it made a hard landing into a field. A postcrash fire consumed the cabin structure. The airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector and an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed that both magnetos were melted. All of the spark plugs were removed and contained slight carbon deposits. The cylinders were borescope and no anomalies were noted. A visual inspection of the carburetor revealed that the fuel filter screen was clean and free of debris. The engine was rotated by hand and valve train continuity was established. The examination of the engine and system components did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. According to the pilot, the last annual inspection was completed in December 2007, at a recorded tachometer reading of 8,801 hours. He said that the helicopter had flown 64 hours prior to the accident, and that the logbooks were in the helicopter at the time of the crash and were consumed by fire. A review of the helicopter's sales description showed that the engine had 55 flight hours left before a major overhaul. The purchase agreement from the previous owner that was signed by the purchaser revealed that the helicopter was "sold as parts" and noted, "as is." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N471KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N471KC-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 2422, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G2A - 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: 2422 - Airframe hours: 8801 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006, 64 hours before - Departed: MDQ, Huntsville, AL - Destination: 3M5, Huntsville, AL - Airport: 3M5, Moontown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 550 total, 10 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KHSV, 5 nm away ## 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 20070317005159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070317005159A), Mar 17, 2007: Bell 47G2, Meridinville, AL, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated that he had a loss of power and autorotated into a soft field for landing. The aircraft skids sank into the soil and caused the aircraft to… ## Other investigations on N471KC (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 MIA83LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA196), Aug 5, 1983: Bell 47G-2 (N471KC), Miami, FL, substantial damage 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.