# NTSB LAX93LA010: Bell 47-D1, N162B, El Monte, CA, October 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1992, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.039562, -118.04042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0396&lon=-118.0404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA010

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE ROTOR RPM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, taxi - aerial
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL HELICOPTER SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PILOT DEMONSTRATED A PINNACLE LANDING TO HILL TOP PLATEAU. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE FLARED HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHICH FORCED HIM TO LAND ON THE EDGE OF THE HILL. THE ENGINE POWER THEN RESTORED AND THE PILOT LIFTED OFF THE HELICOPTER AND AIR TAXIED IT TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE PLATEAU.  DURING THE AIR TAXI THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER.  FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE IMPACT WAS CONSISTENT WITH A LOW ROTOR RPM HARD LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N162B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162B-2010-06-02), registration cancelled 2010-06-02, S/N 16 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 16
- Airframe hours: 8916
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V200-C32 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ochwatt, Robert & Edward, doing business as Hollywood Helicopters
- Registered owner: Wilson, Robert B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 3, 1992
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: BUR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,103 total, 3,624 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19921011041499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921011041499A), Oct 11, 1992: Bell 47D1, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Demonstrating pinnacle landing to passenger made hard impact due low rotor RPM. Rolled over.

## Other investigations on N162B (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 SEA67A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0032), Oct 11, 1966: Bell 47D1 (N162B), Llensburg, WA, 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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