# NTSB CHI86FEX03: Bell H13G, N73550, Mccordsville, IN, October 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1985, 19:15 local (Oct 16, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Mccordsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.899848, -85.929824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8998&lon=-85.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEX03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEX03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPT TO LAND FROM A HOVER. THE PLT HAD A STUDENT PLT AIRPLANE CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73550](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73550), registered now, S/N 53-3654, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL H13G
- Registry model: [Bell H13G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-h13g) (registry code 1181005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 771
- Airframe hours: 3768
- Engines: FRANKLIN UNK 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J F Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1985, 121 hours before
- Airport: Brookside

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 26 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19851015067259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851015067259A), Oct 15, 1985: Bell H13G, Mccordsville, IN, Substantial damage. Student pilot not authorized to fly helicopter. Made hard landing causing substantial damage.

## Other investigations on N73550 (1)

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 NYC77FFA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FFA01-201363), Oct 6, 1976: Bell 47G-2 (N73550), Utica, NY, 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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