# NTSB ATL90LA138: Bell BH-47G, N3081G, Seagrove, NC, June 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1990, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Seagrove, NC
- Coordinates: 35.539886, -79.770393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5399&lon=-79.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA138

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD BOLT FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON A ROUTINE POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE LEFT, AND SPLIT ENGINE/ROTOR RPM INDICATIONS WERE OBSERVED. AN AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED IN A PARTIALLY CLEARED AREA AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED TREES AND TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD BELT HAD FAILED. THE CONNECTING ROD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND JAMMED ITSELF AGAINST THE CRANKSHAFT, RESULTING IN ENGINE STOPPAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3081G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3081G), registered now, S/N 3153, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL BH-47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3153
- Airframe hours: 13608
- Engines: LYCOMING VO540-B1B3 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Inland Air Lines, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1990, 84 hours before
- Departed: SOP, SOUTHERN PINES, NC
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,860 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 244 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900628022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900628022779A), Jun 28, 1990: Bell 47G4, Seagrove, NC, Substantial damage. Connecting rod bolt failed during power line patrol. Struck trees landing.

## Other investigations on N3081G (2)

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 NYC66A0140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66A0140), Jun 2, 1966: Bell 47G-4 (N3081G), Dumfries, VA, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA65A0106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA65A0106), Apr 26, 1965: Bell 47G4 (N3081G), Doraville, GA, 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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