# Accident 20120323005219A: Bell 407, Delray Beach, FL, March 23, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 23, 2012, 14:55 local time
- Place: Delray Beach, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.4553° N, 80.1961° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4553&lon=-80.1961&mi=10
- Aircraft: N31PB, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31PB-2025-12-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 (registry code 1182154, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-canada-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C47B (registry code 54585, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c47b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C47B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,482 total, 1,843 in this make and model, 87 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12TA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12TA251) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120323005219A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT IN COMMAND INITIATED A THROTTLE ROLLBACK ON THE PILOT FLYING FROM APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET AGL. THE FLYING PILOT WAS SLOW TO REACT. THE FLYING PILOT TRANSFERRED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE PILOT IN COMMAND AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET. A DESCENT WAS ESTABLISHED AND THE PIC COULD NOT STOP THE RATE OF DESCENT AND GAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD UP AGAINST A WALL. THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED AND THE MAIN AND TAIL ROTORS WERE DAMAGED BY TREES IN THE LANDING AREA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA12TA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12TA251), Mar 23, 2012: Bell 407 (N31PB), Delray Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper response to a simulated engine failure and the instructor’s delayed and improper remedial action.

## Other reports on N31PB (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20230801008179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230801008179A), Aug 1, 2023: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 (N31PB), North Charlesto, SC, Substantial damage. On August 1, 2023 at approximately 1530 hours (local), a Bell helicopter 407 was substantially damaged in an accident at the Charleston international airport…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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