# NTSB CHI85FA301: Bell 47G2A1, N1345A, Brook, IN, July 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1985, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Brook, IN
- Coordinates: 40.859363, -87.35913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8594&lon=-87.3591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA301

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A FLAT ATTITUDE AND ROLLED OVER DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. A WITNESS STATED AN AUTOROTATION WAS ENTERED AT 800 FT AGL DURING WHICH THE PLT MADE A 360 DEG DESCENDING TURN. AN APPLICATION OF PWR WAS HEARD AT AN ALT OF APRX 300 FT AGL, HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN BEFORE A FULL RECOVERY WAS MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1345A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1345A-2011-04-15), registration cancelled 2011-04-15, S/N 47-1981-G2A1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2A1
- Registry model: [Bell-Huddleston-Wilson 47G2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-huddleston-wilson-47g2) (registry code 1181076) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 471981-G2A1
- Airframe hours: 283
- Engines: LYCOMING V0-435A1E 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: H & W Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 1985, 42 hours before
- Airport: II04, Brook, runway 18, 2,600 × 175 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 32 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 19850720032709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850720032709A), Jul 20, 1985: Bell 47G2, Brook, IN, Destroyed. On practice autorotation, rotor rpms decaxed. Unable to recover with power. Hit hard, bounced onto canopy.

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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