- Date
- February 17, 1984, 09:04 local (15:04 UTC)
- Place
- Cullman, AL
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N12KHBell 47GL
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19840217004369A
- Case key
- 6255
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The plt had just completed an eng overhaul & was test flying the helicopter. While maneuvering at aprx 100 ft AGL, the eng lost power & the plt initiated an autorotation. During the landing, the helicopter impacted hard on rising terrain, rolled onto its side & burned. An investigation revealed that the eng had seized. Contamination had entered the oil system during the overhaul which had resulted in the seizure. The plt was not a certified powerplant mechanic.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N12KH
- Reported as
- Bell 47GL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- CC1-73-1
- Airframe hours
- 1,084
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-435-A1F, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Billy Don Walker
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 1983
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 29
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 4,197 total · 11 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.