# NTSB CHI79FEM21: Bell 47D-1, N64580, Middleville, MI, May 19, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 19, 1979
- Place: Middleville, MI · MIDDLEVILLE, MI
- Location: 42.7178° N, 85.4690° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middleville, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7178&lon=-85.4690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEM21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEM21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1022  79/5/19  NR.MIDDLEVILLE,MI     BELL 47D-1          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 363
        TIME - 1350                    N64580              PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 22 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ATTICA,OH                   HART,MI                      HASTINGS,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: FLAREOUT FOR SWATH RUN
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - RULES,REGULATIONS,STANDARDS PERSONNEL
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- HELO ASSEMBLED FROM SPARE PARTS.CERTIFICATED W/O FUEL GAGE.GAGE INSTALLED BUT NOT CONNECTED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64580](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64580-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N TWH-9, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D-1
- Registry model: [Bell-Transworld Helicopters 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-transworld-helicopters-47d1) (registry code 1180845) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790519011129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790519011129A), May 19, 1979: Bell 47D1, Middleville, MI, Substantial damage. Engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion while enroute on a ferry flight. Made hard autorotation landing>

## Other investigations on N64580 (3)

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 LAX03CA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA274), Sep 2, 2003: Bell 47D1 (N64580), Chino, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's inappropriate remedial action through the application of excessive aft cyclic during a run-on landing. A factor in the accident was the student's disregard for company procedures.
- [NTSB LAX01FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA236), Jul 6, 2001: Bell 47D-1 (N64580), Riverside, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The engine crankshaft's failure as the result of fatigue cracking initiated by surface damage and localized overheating due to the installation at overhaul of incorrectly sized bearings.
- [NTSB CHI77FEM34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEM34), Jul 21, 1977: Bell 47D (N64580), Byron Center, MI, 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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