# NTSB CHI01LA325: Bell 47G-2, N46R, Grand Haven, MI, September 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 2001, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Haven, MI - Coordinates: 43.049488, -86.2191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0495&lon=-86.2191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53523/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA325 ## Probable cause Aircraft control not maintained by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The helicopter impacted terrain while maneuvering in a 3-5 foot agl hover to a grass area on the airport. The helicopter's tail swung to the right during a pedal turn, which was arrested after 1 1/2 turns and then followed by a drift backwards and a roll to the left. The tail rotor struck the ground followed by the left skid struck the ground and a roll over then ensued. Inspection of the helicopter revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2001, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2, N46R, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged on impact with terrain during a practice hover near Grand Haven, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The local flight originated at 0745. The pilot reported the following in a written statement, "I finished a traffic pattern, which went smoothly. I was using the runway designated 03-27. I had been practicing hover maneuvers and traffic patterns for [approximately] 35 [minutes] prior to the accident. I came to a hover at [approximately] 3-5 [feet] AGL and applied left cyclic to exit the runway onto the grassy area on the [southwest] region of the airport. The time was [approximately] 0800. The wind was variable at 5-7 [knots] and no gusts. The wind direction was out of the north and east. As I applied cyclic, I also applied slight left pedal to place the tail into the wind. The aircraft was moving slowly and level, still maintaining an altitude of 3-5 [feet] AGL. Approximately 75-100 feet to the south of runway 03-27, I slowed the aircraft more and applied right pedal and right cyclic to bring the aircraft around and into the wind. I did not notice a decay of engine/rotor RPM and the sound of the engine was normal. At [approximately] 1/4 of the way into the right pedal turn, facing west, I felt an exaggerated swing of the tail to the right. This was precipitated by a slight shudder. I immediately applied left pedal and increased the throttle for fear that I had inadvertently allowed the engine RPM to decay. This was to no avail though, as the aircraft continued to swing to the right and increase in velocity. I then heard the engine over-rev. I immediately rolled the throttle off. The aircraft, which made [approximately] 1 and 1/2 turns to the right, stopped spinning and began to drift backward and roll to the left. I made an attempt to level the skids with the ground applying forward right cyclic. It was too late, though, and the tail rotor struck the ground, followed by the left skid which immediately folded under the aircraft causing a dynamic roll to the left. This caused the main rotor to strike the ground. There was tremendous shaking and the fiberglass canopy shattered. The aircraft settled with a list to the left and the main rotor blades, still attached, perpendicular to the fuselage. I then heard the engine revving and quickly turned the magnetos to the 'off' position. The engine immediately stopped. I did not smell fuel or oil and there was no fire." Inspection of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N46R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 883 - Airframe hours: 7966 - Engines: Lycoming VO435-A1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: West Shore Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2001, 18 hours before - Departed: 3GM, Grand Haven, MI - Airport: 3GM, Grand Haven Memorial Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 17 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: MKG, 8 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 20010927025109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010927025109A), Sep 27, 2001: Bell 47G2, Grand Haven, MI, No damage. (.19) On September 27, 2001, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2, N46R, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain during a… 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.