Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

April 20, 2016 · Bell 47D1 · N202CH

Myerstown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Myerstown, PA
Aircraft
Bell 47D1 (1951)
Tail Number
N202CH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA167

The flight instructor reported that she was providing a flight review to the pilot and was demonstrating an autorotation that would terminate with power. She entered the maneuver about 1,500 ft above ground level (agl) by reducing the throttle to idle and lowering the collective to the "full-down" position. The carburetor heat was off. The instructor stabilized the approach at 45 mph but noted that the engine's idle speed was about 100 rpm higher than normal. The instructor was not satisfied with the needle split between the engine and rotor rpm, so she advanced the throttle to the "full-open" position. However, the engine did not respond. The instructor entered a flare about 50 ft agl, and the helicopter impacted the ground with little-to-no forward speed, bounced, and then rolled over to the left. The pilot confirmed that the throttle was full open and that there was no engine power. Postaccident examination of the helicopter and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2016, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47D1, N202CH, was substantially damaged during practice autorotation landings at Deck Airport (9D4), Myerstown, Pennsylvania. The flight instructor and airline transport pilot were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private company. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.The flight instructor, who was seated in the right seat, was performing a flight review for the pilot. She stated that she was demonstrating an autorotation that would terminate with power. The instructor entered the maneuver about 1,500 feet above ground level (agl) by reducing throttle to idle and lowering the collective to the full down position. The carburetor heat was off. She stabilized the approach at 45 miles per hour (mph), but noted the engine's idle speed was about 100 rpm higher than normal. The instructor said she was not satisfied with the needle split between the engine and rotor rpm, so she advanced the throttle to the full open position. When she did this, there was no response from the engine. The instructor entered a flare about 50 ft agl and the helicopter impacted the ground with little to no forward speed, bounced and rolled over to the left. The pilot stated he was receiving a flight review and was monitoring the instructor's demonstration of an autorotation that would terminate with power. They entered the maneuver about 1,200 ft agl and all appeared normal. The pilot was scanning the engine rpm, rotor rpm, and "ball" throughout the demonstration. When the helicopter reached an altitude of 50 ft agl, he noticed the rotor and engine speed needles were still split so he reached over and confirmed that the throttle was indeed full open. A postaccident examination of the helicopter and engine revealed the throttle linkage moved freely from the idle to the full-open position. The engine remained attached to the airframe but had sustained impact damage to several engine mounts and could not be rotated. The ring gear cover at the magneto mount was also broken/cracked. All of the spark plugs were removed and examined, with the exception of the No. 6 cylinder top plug, which was broken off in the cylinder. The spark plugs were bench-tested and each produced a spark. No other mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. The flight instructor held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane single and multi-engine land. She also held a flight instructor certificate for single and multi-engine airplane, rotorcraft helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter. The instructor reported a total flight time of 2,024 hours, of which, 590 hours were in helicopters and 31 hours were in the accident helicopter. Her last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical was issued on March 13, 2015. The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane single and multi-engine land, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument helicopter. His last FAA second-class medical was issued on May 4, 2015. At that time, he reported a total flight time of 14,710 hours. Weather at Muir Army Airfield (KMUI), about 12 miles east of the accident site, at 1208, was wind 200 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 7 miles, clear skies, temperature 64 degrees F, 25 degrees F, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.26 inches of mercury. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, June 30, 2009, revealed the temperature and dew point reported at the time of the accident were not conducive for the formation of carburetor icing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest AirportDeck Airport (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47D1
Tail NumberN202CH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V-335A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 70 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 25 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time15:08
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data