# NTSB DEN83LA165: Bell 47J-2A, N8545F, Interior, SD, July 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1983, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Interior, SD
- Coordinates: 43.719623, -101.980712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7196&lon=-101.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SIGHT-SEEING FLT OVER A PARK, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD NOISE & THE HELICOPTER SHUDDERED & LOST POWER. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT WAS OVER A CANYON, SO THE PLT LOOKED FOR THE FLATEST AREA TO LAND & BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION. DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED INSTEAD OF SLIDDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE SKIDS BENT, THE TAIL ROTOR HIT THE GROUND & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG FAILED AFTER A CONNECTING ROD BOLT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8545F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8545F-1989-03-03), registration cancelled 1989-03-03, S/N 3704 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2a) (registry code 1181106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3704
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jay Brent
- Registered owner: Jimmie Barense
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 13, 1983, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 95 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19830714031479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830714031479A), Jul 14, 1983: Bell 47J2A, Interior, SD, Substantial damage. #3 Cylinder connecting rod bolts failed, made hard rotation landing in area of rough terrain. Chopped off tail boom

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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