# NTSB MKC82DA159: Bell 47G-2, N12412, Palo, IA, August 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1982, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Palo, IA
- Coordinates: 42.060214, -91.790405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0602&lon=-91.7904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, TURNED INTO THE WIND, AND LANDED IN A BEAN FIELD. AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE BEANS, THE SPRAY BOOM BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE VINES WHICH PULLED THE NOSE DOWN. THE IMPACT FLEXED THE TAIL BOOM UP INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WHICH SEVERED THE BOOM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12412](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12412-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 1487 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell-K-Copter 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-k-copter-47g-2) (registry code 1181066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1487
- Airframe hours: 9304
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435-A1F 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Janet K. Brentner
- Registered owner: Janet K. Brentner
- Departed: MCCALLSBURG, IA
- Destination: C17, MARION, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 980 total, 315 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command, 450 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 12 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 19820827042189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820827042189A), Aug 27, 1982: Bell 47G2, Palo, IA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during emergency landing after engine quit due to fuel contamination.

## Other investigations on N12412 (2)

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 MKC76FCD60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD60), Jul 29, 1976: Bell 47G-2 (N12412), Oskaloosa, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC73DCD52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCD52), Mar 20, 1973: Bell 47G-2 (N12412), Hanlontown, IA, 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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