Bell 47D1 N132BR

Summary

On 31 October 2021 at about 20:40 local time, a Bell 47D1 registered N132BR, operated by Steinheiser Terry N, was involved in an accident near Zelienople, Pennsylvania, 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

31 October 2021 at 20:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Zelienople, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Zelienople Muni (PJC)

Coordinates

40.8100, -80.1500

Aircraft

Bell 47D1

Registration

N132BR

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1951

Engines

1

Operator

Steinheiser Terry N

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Butler

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA039

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor picked up the helicopter following maintenance and performed a brief instructional flight. The instructor disembarked while the helicopter’s engine continued to run, and the pilot subsequently departed for a solo flight to the home airport. Shortly after departure, the engine “sputtered,” and there was a “drop” in both the engine and main rotor rpms. The pilot performed a 180° turn back toward the departure airport, and when he leveled the helicopter, engine and rotor rpm “returned.” However, soon after, the helicopter lost total engine power. The pilot entered autorotation and maneuvered the helicopter for a “flat” open area but lacked the altitude and rotor rpm to reach it. He landed on sloped terrain, which resulted in the destruction of the main rotor blades and substantial damage to the landing gear and tailboom. Initial examination of the wreckage by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed a fragmented engine accessory case. Examination of the accessory case fragments revealed that the fracture surface features were consistent with overstress due to impact. Other than the fractured accessory case, the initial wreckage examination revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies. The helicopter’s owner blocked access to the wreckage, and no further examination of the helicopter could be performed. Weather conditions reported in the area at the time of the accident was conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at a glide power setting. It is possible that carburetor ice may have developed during the time the helicopter was operating on the ground while the instructor disembarked; however, the pilot’s use of carburetor heat was not determined, and other reasons for the loss of engine power could not be ruled out due to the lack of a more extensive examination of the helicopter. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.