# NTSB MIA78DLG36: Bell 47D1, N4116A, Summerville, SC, August 26, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 26, 1978
- Place: Summerville, SC · SUMMERVILLE, SC
- Location: 33.0056° N, 80.1774° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Summerville, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0056&lon=-80.1774&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 20, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA78DLG36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLG36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3010  78/8/26  NR.SUMMERVILLE,SC     BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 38, 176
        TIME - 1500                    N4116A              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 38 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SUMMERVILLE,SC               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH TEMPERATURE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      90
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          150                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT STATED RPM LOSS DUE IMP CONTROL INPUT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4116A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4116A-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N CS-2, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Locklair Memorial

## 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 19780826024759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780826024759A), Aug 26, 1978: Bell 47D1, Summerville, SC, Substantial damage. Plt stated RPM loss due imp control input.

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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