# NTSB ATL82DA183: Bell 47D1, N929B, Louisville, KY, July 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.260108, -85.699905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2601&lon=-85.6999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA183

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO HAVE A RADIO INSTALLED WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. WHEN THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND, THE MAIN ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR, TAIL BOOM, AND SKIDS WERE DAMAGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT, BUT THE HELICOPTER RAN OUT OF FUEL SHORT OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N929B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N929B), registered now, S/N 647 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 647
- Airframe hours: 5525
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-178-B32 178 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: James L. Evans
- Registered owner: James L. Evans
- Departed: NEW ALBANY, IN
- Destination: CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 393 total, 24 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Observed at: LOU, 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 19820702028479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702028479A), Jul 2, 1982: Bell 47D1, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during autorotation landing after engine quit due to fuel exhastion.

## Other investigations on N929B (4)

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 CHI83LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA027), Oct 28, 1982: Bell 47D1 (N929B), Georgetown, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW77FRA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRA15), Mar 8, 1977: Bell 47D1 (N929B), Houston, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC75FCG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCG52), Jun 20, 1975: Bell 47D-1 (N929B), Lowry City, MO, destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72DLQ34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DLQ34), Mar 19, 1972: Bell 47D1 (N929B), Hazard, KY, 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.

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