# NTSB CEN09CA517: Bell 47G-2A, N9526, Covert, MI, August 11, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 11, 2009, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Covert, MI
- Coordinates: 42.256942, -86.219718
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2569&lon=-86.2197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-GRR-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA517
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74508/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74508
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA517

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blocked fuel vents.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot topped off the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. Approximately two hours later, a loss of engine power was experienced. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field; however, the tail rotor contacted a 4x4 wooden post during the landing. This resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. Inspection of the helicopter revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank was full. Inspection of the fuel system revealed the right tank fuel vent was completely blocked by mud dauber debris along with the remains of two mud daubers. The left fuel tank vent was partially blocked by mud dauber debris. Both tanks feed to a central line which provides fuel to the engine. In addition, the nut on the T-fitting from the left tank fuel line was found finger tight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot topped off the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. Approximately two hours later, a loss of engine power was experienced. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field, however, the tail rotor contacted a 4x4 wooden post during the landing. This resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. Inspection of the helicopter revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank was full. Inspection of the fuel system revealed the right tank fuel vent was completely blocked by mud dauber debris along with the remains of two mud daubers. The left fuel tank vent was partially blocked by mud dauber debris. Both tanks feed to a central line which provides fuel to the engine. In addition, the nut on the T-fitting from the left tank fuel line was found finger tight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9526](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9526), registered now, S/N 1288-16, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1288-16
- Airframe hours: 13294
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 SERIES 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Ekoniak
- Registered owner: Paul Ekoniak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2008, 10 hours before
- Departed: RZL, Rensselaer, IN
- Destination: MI80, Greenville, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 772 total, 38 in this make and model, 556 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: BEH, 17 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 20090811017449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090811017449A), Aug 11, 2009: Bell 47G2A, 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…

## Other investigations on N9526 (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 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.
- [NTSB CHI77FEK33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEK33), Sep 28, 1977: Bell 47G-2A (N9526), Big Plaines, OH, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74508. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Fuel System Examination (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20System%20Examination-Master.PDF

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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