# NTSB CHI70FDW23: Bell 47-J2, N73271, Union Lake, MI, June 20, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 20, 1970
- Place: Union Lake, MI · UNION LAKE, MI
- Location: 42.6148° N, 83.4469° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Union Lake, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6148&lon=-83.4469&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 119317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI70FDW23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70FDW23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2636  70/6/20    UNION LAKE,MICH     BELL 47-J2          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 3050
        TIME - 2130                    N73271              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 177 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LIVONIA,MICH                WESTLAND,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- ENTERED SETTLING WITH POWER APRX 200-300FT AGL,FAILED TO RECOVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73271](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73271-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 2848, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-J2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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.