# NTSB NYC86LA191: Bell 47G-5A, N59400, Portland, CT, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Portland, CT
- Location: 41.5774° N, 72.6198° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Portland, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5774&lon=-72.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG QUIT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED INTO A SAND BANK WHERE THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59400](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59400-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 25138, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 25138
- Airframe hours: 7597
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Petrie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: PORTLAND, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,425 total, 975 in this make and model, 1,325 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19860720034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034619A), Jul 20, 1986: Bell 47G5A, Portland, CT, Substantial damage. The engine failed during takeoff. The helicopter landed on a sandbank. Cause of engine failure is undetermined.

## Other investigations on N59400 (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 NYC94LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA110), Jul 2, 1994: Bell 47-G5 (N59400), Wareham, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate inflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

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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