Bell 47G-2A N9526

Summary

On 11 August 2009 at about 19:00 local time, a Bell 47G-2A registered N9526, operated by Paul Ekoniak, was involved in an accident near Covert, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2009 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Covert, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.2569, -86.2197

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2A

Registration

N9526

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Paul Ekoniak

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rensselaer → Greenville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA517

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blocked fuel vents.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot topped off the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. Approximately two hours later, a loss of engine power was experienced. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field; however, the tail rotor contacted a 4x4 wooden post during the landing. This resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. Inspection of the helicopter revealed the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank was full. Inspection of the fuel system revealed the right tank fuel vent was completely blocked by mud dauber debris along with the remains of two mud daubers. The left fuel tank vent was partially blocked by mud dauber debris. Both tanks feed to a central line which provides fuel to the engine. In addition, the nut on the T-fitting from the left tank fuel line was found finger tight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.