# NTSB CHI86LA044: Bell 47G, N7763, Kalamazoo, MI, December 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Kalamazoo, MI
- Coordinates: 42.349395, -85.560325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3494&lon=-85.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

UPON THE APPROACH TO HOVER FOR LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP, DRY SNOW BLEW UP AND OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISUAL REFERENCES. ONE SKID TOUCHED DOWN AS THE HELICOPTER WAS MOVING LATERALLY CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL OVER ON ITS SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7763 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: K992
- Airframe hours: 1338
- Engines: LYCOMING V0435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas A. Kitzmiller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: RLA, MATTAWAN, MI
- Destination: RLA, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Airport: RLA, Newman'S, runway 18, 2,700 ×  ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,956 total, 5,084 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 19851207062649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851207062649A), Dec 7, 1985: Bell 47G, Kalamazoo, MI, Substantial damage. Snow, blown by rotor wash caused whiteout. Drifted sideways on touchdown, rolled over onto its side.

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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