# NTSB LAX86FJA03: Bell 47G-3B1, N700EC, Lihue, HI, July 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1986, 09:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lihue, HI
- Coordinates: 21.969469, -159.349212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9695&lon=-159.3492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FJA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FJA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, hover
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (cause)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPER CRASHED INTO TREES WHILE ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT WHILE HOVERING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT THE MAIN ROTOR AND ENGINE RPM WERE DROPPING BELOW THE MINIMUM OPERATING LIMITS. THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO REGAIN RPM BUT WAS NOT SUCCUSSFUL. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK SEVERAL TREES AND THE HELICOPTER WENT STRAIGHT DOWN. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER, ALSO A PILOT, STATED THERE WAS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS 3,500 FT MSL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 81 DEGS (F). DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APRX 5,300 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N700EC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2945
- Airframe hours: 6991
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard V. Coffin, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1986, 79 hours before
- Departed: LIH, LIHUE, HI
- Destination: LIH, LIHUE, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIH

## 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 19860731036759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860731036759A), Jul 31, 1986: Bell 47G3B1, Lihue, HI, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck trees while checking a landing site. Pilot failed to maintain rotor speed during a turn.

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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