# NTSB CHI92LA140: Bell BH47G, N90642, Bucklin, MO, April 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1992, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bucklin, MO
- Coordinates: 39.780158, -92.879035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7802&lon=-92.8790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA140

## Probable cause

THE HELICOPTER PILOT'S ABRUPT TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. RELATED FACTORS WERE THE PRESENCE OF CARBURETOR ICE CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED HE INITIATED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF.  HE ESTIMATED THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT 10 TO 15 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN '...IT FELT LIKE THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND TRIED TO YAW TOWARDS THE LEFT....I TRIED TO GET IT BACK ON THE GROUND AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS I COULD.'  HE STATED HE OVERCOMPENSATED FOR A PERCEIVED 'UPWARD PRESSURE' ON THE COLLECTIVE, AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND ABRUPTLY.  WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MODERATE CARBURETOR ICING.  THE STUDENT PILOT (GROUND WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT) REPORTED THE CFI MADE A NUMBER OF ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT. EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90642 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL BH47G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1131
- Airframe hours: 4946
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-200-C32 222 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Missouri State Univ.
- Registered owner: Central Missouri State Univ.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1991, 16 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 8 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920428017059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920428017059A), Apr 28, 1992: Bell H13G, Bucklin, MO, Substantial damage. Lost power shortly after liftoff. Over compensated for cylic pressure. Made hard landing. Conditions for carb icing

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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