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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 21, 1995 · Bell 47G · N616X

Union City, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Union City, TN
Aircraft
Bell 47G
Tail Number
N616X
Operator
Gordon Wade
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA171

During flight, the pilot noted a severe vibration and elected to make an emergency autorotation. He landed with forward speed in a flat, open, bean field. The pilot reported that during the landing, the skids got caught in the beans, and the helicopter rolled over. A cabin fire followed shortly thereafter. A postcrash engine teardown revealed that a #4 connecting rod bolt had failed, resulting in engine stoppage.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of a #4 connecting rod bolt, which resulted in engine stoppage and a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 1995, about 1415 central daylight time, a Bell 47G, N616X, force landed following an in-flight engine vibration, near Union City, Tennessee. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the solo, instructional flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Union City, Tennessee, about ten minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while enroute to his farm, he noticed a vibration in the flight controls and initiated an autorotation. The pilot stated that he touched down in a flat bean field with forward speed. The skids caught on the beans, the helicopter rolled over, caught fire and burned. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine, multi engine, and instrument ratings. He also had a helicopter solo endorsement. During the ensuing engine teardown, it was noted that the connecting rod from the #4 cylinder was found separated from the crankshaft with the rod cap wedged between the rod and the case. Only 1 connecting rod bolt was located for the #4 cylinder, and it was located in the cap, with the threads stripped from the bolt. The separation of the rod resulted in the fracture of the camshaft, case cracking, and lifter separation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest Airport6nm W
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G
Tail NumberN616X
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGordon Wade
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6VS-335-A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data