Bell 47G-2 accident near Grand Haven, Michigan, September 27, 2001
On September 27, 2001 at about 12:15 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N46R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven Memorial Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Aircraft control not maintained by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2001 · about 12:15 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Haven, Michigan · Grand Haven Memorial Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N46R · registry record · serial 883
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter impacted terrain while maneuvering in a 3-5 foot agl hover to a grass area on the airport. The helicopter's tail swung to the right during a pedal turn, which was arrested after 1 1/2 turns and then followed by a drift backwards and a roll to the left. The tail rotor struck the ground followed by the left skid struck the ground and a roll over then ensued. Inspection of the helicopter revealed no anomalies.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 83 hours in all; 17 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 42 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 5, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,966 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 2001; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,413 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO435-A1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3GM Grand Haven MI at 11:45 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft; clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from MKG, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.