# NTSB MKC82FCA08: Bell 47G-4, N87623, St Genevieve, MO, April 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1982, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: St Genevieve, MO
- Location: 37.9731° N, 90.0528° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ste. Genevieve, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9731&lon=-90.0528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCA08

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 40 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THERE WAS A DROP IN OIL PRESSURE FOLLOWED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER A WOODED AREA. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SMALL CLEARING, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK TREES SHORT OF THE OPENING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 5 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AT THE CRANKSHAFT END. IT WAS NOTED THAT A ROD CAP BOLT HAD BROKEN, THE CAP HAD STRAIGHTENED OUT, AND THE ROD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. A LARGE HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE CRANKCASE AND THE OIL TANK WAS EMPTY. HOWEVER, OIL WAS NOTED INSIDE THE ENGINE AND ON ALL BEARINGS AND JOURNALS EXCEPT THE NO. 5 CONNECTING ROD. ALSO, ALL MAIN BEARINGS AND ALL ROD BEARINGS AND JOURNALS, EXCEPT NO. 5, WERE NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N87623 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3140
- Airframe hours: 3140
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North American Corp
- Registered owner: North American Corp
- Departed: JACKSON, MO
- Destination: ST CLAIRE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,500 total, 540 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820411008639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820411008639A), Apr 11, 1982: Bell 47G4, St Genevieve, MO, Destroyed. Lost oil pressure, engine siezed. Hit trees short of landing area. Rod cap bolt failed. Rod broke hole in crankcase

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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