# NTSB ATL85LA121: Bell 47G, N73DB, Erin, TN, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1985, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Erin, TN
- Coordinates: 36.310314, -87.699302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3103&lon=-87.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA121

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - anti-ice/deice system - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER A POWER LOSS AT LOW ALT. DURING APPROACH TO TOUCHDOWN,THE PILOT BLED OFF ROTOR RPM ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR POWER LINES ACROSS HIS APPROACH PATH. THIS RESULTED IN A LACK OF ROTOR ENERGY NECESSARY FOR AN AUTOROTAITON LANDING. A HARD LANDING RESULTED. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED EXCEPT DURING INITIAL RUNUP AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICE FORMATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73DB-1993-12-22), registration cancelled 1993-12-22, S/N 1277DBA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G
- Registry model: [Bell-Daytona Beach 47-G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-daytona-beach-47-g) (registry code 1181017) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1277 DBA
- Airframe hours: 58689
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas. Luipersbeck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 22, 1985, 345 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,154 total, 75 in this make and model, 889 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850316007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850316007679A), Mar 16, 1985: Bell 47G, Erin, TN, Substantial damage. Hard landing during autorotation over powerlines due to loss of power. No STC for engine on helicopter.

## Other investigations on N73DB (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 MIA87LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA240), Sep 4, 1987: Bell 47G (N73DB), New Port Richey, FL, substantial damage

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.

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