# NTSB CHI91FA294: Bell-K Copter 47D1, N7768, Laurie, MO, September 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1991, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Laurie, MO
- Location: 38.2080° N, 92.8254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laurie, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2080&lon=-92.8254&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA294

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT, DUE TO IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BEFORE FLIGHT, HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID POWER LINES).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED TO BE CONSUMING BEER WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE BEFORE THE FLIGHT.  HE AND 2 OTHERS OF THE GROUP WERE SEEN TO GO THE HELICOPTER, BOARD IT AND TAKE OFF.  A WITNESS ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 5 1/2 MILES SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT OBSERVED A HELICOPTER FLYING NEAR TREETOP LEVEL TOWARD HER CAR.  SHE SAID THE HELICOPTER THEN TURNED TOWARD A LAKE AND DISAPPEARED FROM HER SIGHT.  TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER STRIKE POWERLINE CABLES, THEN CRASH INTO THE LAKE.  THE WIRES WERE ESTIMATE TO BE ABOUT 60 TO 75 FT ABOVE THE WATER.  TOXICOLOGY TESTS FOR ALCOHOL REVEALED THE PILOT AND 1 PASSENGER HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.161% AND 0.190%, RESPECTIVELY.  THEIR URINE HAD ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.155 AND 0.221%.  THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD A URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.204%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7768](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7768-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N K9124, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell-K Copter 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell - K Copter 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-k-copter-47d1) (registry code 1180843) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: K9124
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter G. Eeles
- Registered owner: Peter G. Eeles
- Departed: LAURIE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,753 total, 979 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °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 19910915039929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910915039929A), Sep 15, 1991: Bell 47D1, Laurie, MO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Victims drank beer. Went flying. Struck powerlines over lake. Crashed inverted into lake.

## Other investigations on N7768 (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 FTW81DPJ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DPJ24), Apr 25, 1981: Bell 47D1 (N7768), Okeene, OK, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.