# NTSB NYC82DA056: Bell 47J-2A, N8565F, Emmaus, PA, March 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1982, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Emmaus, PA
- Coordinates: 40.529529, -75.489105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5295&lon=-75.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL FOR AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY MISSION A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE POWER FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PILOT INITIATED AUTOROTATION PROCEDURES AND SET A COURSE FOR THE ONLY OPEN AREA, A SMALL FIELD WITH A 15 DEGREE UPSLOPE. A FLARE WAS PERFORMED DOWNWIND AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD. THE ENGINE TEARDOWN EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EXPLANATION FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8565F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8565F-1983-01-13), registration cancelled 1983-01-13, S/N 3712 (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: 3712
- Airframe hours: 3118
- Engines: LYCOMING VP-540-B1B3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Sky King Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sky King Airways, Inc.
- Departed: ALLENTOWN, PA
- Destination: ALLENTOWN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,173 total, 8,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots

## 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 19820318004369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820318004369A), Mar 18, 1982: Bell 47J2A, Emmaus, PA, Destroyed. Engine failed at 200 feet AGL. RPM decay on autorotation allowed severe ground impact. Engine checked out ok.

## Other investigations on N8565F (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 FTW67A0044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0044), Oct 9, 1966: Bell 47J-2A (N8565F), Fort Worth, TX, 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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