Bell 47J N8568F

Summary

On 15 July 2018 at about 21:45 local time, a Bell 47J registered N8568F was involved in an accident near Franklin, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 July 2018 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Franklin, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Franklin Flying Field (3FK)

Coordinates

39.4264, -86.0583

Aircraft

Bell 47J

Registration

N8568F

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Franklin → Franklin

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18LA269

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a test flight in conjunction with an annual inspection when the engine lost power about 50 ft above ground level, which resulted in a hard landing. The helicopter was destroyed by a postimpact fire. A witness reported a plume of smoke trailing the helicopter shortly before the accident. Before the day of the accident, the helicopter had not been flown for about 4 years. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, although the engine examination was limited by the postimpact fire damage. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.