# NTSB CHI87DEV02: Bell 47G2, N15395, Peoria Heights, IL, June 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1987, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Peoria Heights, IL
- Coordinates: 40.740913, -89.599342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7409&lon=-89.5993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEV02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEV02

## Analysis

RETURNING FROM A POWERLINE PATROL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SURGED TWICE AND QUIT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANDING SITE, A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD. ON TOUCHDOWN THE BLADES FLEXED AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LESS THAN TWO QUARTS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15395), registered now, S/N 2408 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2408
- Airframe hours: 3730
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Fostaire Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: D. H. Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: 3MY, PEORIA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 850 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIA, 6 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 19870622021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870622021709A), Jun 22, 1987: Bell 47G2, Peoria Heights, IL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The helicopter landed hard during the auto rotation, damaging the aircraft.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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