# NTSB MIA79FLD57: Bell 47-D1, N68632, Clearwater, FL, April 13, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 13, 1979
- Place: Clearwater, FL · CLEARWATER, FL
- Location: 27.9794° N, 82.7713° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clearwater, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9794&lon=-82.7713&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79FLD57
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLD57

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1940  79/4/13    CLEARWATER,FL       BELL 47-D1          CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 564
        TIME - 1200                    N68632              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      TOTAL HOURS, 68 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLEARWATER EXEC
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CLEARWATER,FL               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68632-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N WH5003, built 1963 (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 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Clearwater Exec

## 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 19790413005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790413005499A), Apr 13, 1979: Bell 47D1, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot made quick stop to hover. Failed to maintain rotor RPM. Rotors hit ground. Aircraft rolled over.

## Other investigations on N68632 (4)

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 ATL92LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA131), Jun 25, 1992: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Centre, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A WIRE.
- [NTSB ATL83LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA315), Aug 6, 1983: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Moultrie, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI71DEI52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DEI52), May 27, 1971: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Bloomdale, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66A0022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66A0022), Nov 10, 1965: Bell 47D1 (N68632), Bells Station, CA, 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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