# NTSB CHI03LA184: Bell 47G-5A, N8413D, Sandusky, MI, June 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2003, 21:00 local (Jun 28, 2003, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Sandusky, MI - Coordinates: 43.45639, -82.839721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4564&lon=-82.8397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57357/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA184 ## Probable cause The failure of the ignition switch leading to an engine power loss in cruise flight and the subsequent high flare during autorotation. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot on landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - ignition system,ignition switch - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, emergency landing - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - high, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter sustained substantial damage when it landed hard during an autorotation following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot reported the engine failed at approximately 400 feet above ground level while in cruise flight. The pilot noted he performed an autorotation but flared early to avoid a drainage ditch. The pilot stated the helicopter landed hard in a field. An inspection of the helicopter showed engine and flight control continuity. The spark plugs and exhaust tubes were clean and the fuel tanks contained fuel. The magnetos worked when tested independently of the ignition system. The inspection revealed that the ignition switch had an internal fault causing it to ground out the ignition system. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2003, at 2100 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-5A helicopter, N8413D, operated by Adventure Helicopters Inc., sustained substantial damage during an autorotation following an in flight loss of engine power near Sandusky, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airline transport pilot and his two passengers reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed a private helipad near Sandusky, Michigan, about 2100. The pilot reported the engine failed at approximately 400 feet above ground level. The pilot noted he performed a 180-degree autorotation to the southwest. The pilot stated he thought "it was evident that [the helicopter was] going to land in a large drainage ditch. I elected to flare sooner than I wanted to avoid the ditch." The pilot reported the helicopter subsequently landed hard in a bean field. A FAA airworthiness inspector conducted an on-scene inspection of the helicopter. The inspection showed engine and control surface continuity and all cylinders exhibited compression. Both fuel tanks contained fuel and the spark plugs and exhaust tubes were clean. The two magnetos worked independently. The inspection revealed that the ignition switch had an internal fault. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8413D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8413D), registered now, S/N 25091 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25091 - Engines: Lycoming O435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Adventure Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVT, Sandusky, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 10, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 10,617 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 10,345 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: BAX, 21 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 20030627028979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030627028979A), Jun 27, 2003: Bell 47G5A, Sandusky, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft experienced sudden engine failure @ approx 400' AGL entered autorotation landed in bean field tail boom bent. Tr blades bent skid tubes bent… 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.