Bell 47J accident near Franklin, Indiana, July 15, 2018
On July 15, 2018 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 1966 Bell 47J (helicopter), registered N8568F, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Franklin, Indiana (Franklin Flying Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2018 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Franklin, Indiana · Franklin Flying Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47J 2A, built 1966 · all 47Js on the register
- Registration
- N8568F · no longer on the register · serial 3715
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 15, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,618 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 20, 2017; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 (piston); 3,618 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 3FK Franklin IN at 9:30 pm
- Destination: 3FK Franklin IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from BAK, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 7, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement to FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Site Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo of Helicopter Wreckage | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records -- Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.