# NTSB NYC07LA146: Bell-Carson 47G-Super C-4, N867Z, Wall Township, NJ, June 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2007, 18:48 local (22:48 UTC) - Place: Wall Township, NJ - Coordinates: 40.186943, -74.124725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1869&lon=-74.1247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66040/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA146 ## Probable cause A total failure of the number one connecting rod during approach. ## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While on a 2-mile final approach to a runway, at 700 feet above ground level (agl), the helicopter pilot heard a loud "bang," which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed an autorotation to a residential area, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was manufactured in 1962, and the exact age of the engine could not be determined. The engine was last overhauled in 1990, and had accumulated about 224 hours of operation since that overhaul. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the number one connecting rod experienced a total failure, which also damaged the engine case. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2007, at 1848 eastern daylight time, a Bell-Carson 47G-Super C-4 helicopter, N867Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a residence in Wall Township, New Jersey, after experiencing a total loss of engine power while on approach to Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed BLM, and flew locally for approximately 1 hour. He was returning to the airport, and on a 2-mile final approach for runway 32. The helicopter was at 700 feet above ground level (agl), and an airspeed of 60 knots, when the pilot heard a "bang." The engine then lost all power, and he performed an autorotation to a residential yard. During the autorotation, the helicopter rolled partially on its right side, and sustained damage to the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tailboom. Review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records and the aircraft logbooks revealed that the helicopter was manufactured in 1962. The helicopter was equipped with a Franklin model 6V-350-A, 235-horsepower engine. The exact age of the engine could not be determined; however, it was last overhauled in 1990. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 224.2 total hours of operation since the last overhaul. The helicopter had been operated for 11.8 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on February 8, 2007. The pilot subsequently had the helicopter examined at a repair facility, and noted that the number one connecting rod experienced a total failure, which also damaged the engine case. The pilot added that oil was observed throughout the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N867Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N867Z-2018-02-21), registration cancelled 2018-02-21, S/N C-5007, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell-Carson 47G-Super C-4 - Registry model: [Bell-Carson 47G-SUPER C-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-carson-47g-super-c-4) (registry code 1181060) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: C-5007 - Airframe hours: 5737 - Engines: Franklin 6V-350-A 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Anthony V. Lucchese - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007, 12 hours before - Departed: BLM, Wall Township, NJ - Destination: BLM - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive Airport, runway 32, 7,300 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 301 total, 160 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: BLM, 2 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 20070620016779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070620016779A), Jun 20, 2007: Carson 47GC4, Wall Township, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he and a passenger departed kblm at approximately 1800 EDT on June 20, 2007 for the purpose of a pleasure flight. The aircraft flew… ## Other investigations on N867Z (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 CHI67A0137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67A0137), Jun 23, 1967: Bell 47G (N867Z), Joliet, IL, destroyed 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.