# NTSB MIA81FKJ03: Bell 47D1, N9115R, Panama City, FL, November 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 8, 1980
- Place: Panama City, FL · PANAMA CITY, FL
- Location: 30.1588° N, 85.6602° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Panama City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1588&lon=-85.6602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81FKJ03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FKJ03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3648   80/11/8 NR.PANAMA CITY,FL     BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 52, 2067
        TIME - 0615                    N9115R              PX-  0  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 1067 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         PANAMA CITY,FL               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: UNIVERSAL JOINTS,COUPLINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISSING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
        REMARKS- T/R DRIVE COUPLING GREASE FITTING MISSING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9115R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9115R), registered now, S/N 93, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19801108063629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801108063629A), Nov 8, 1980: Bell 47D, Panama City Bea, FL, Substantial damage. Tail rotor failed & helicopter crashed during emergency landing. Loss of grease fitting caused lack of lubrication.

## Other investigations on N9115R (6)

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 BFO95LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA084), Aug 22, 1995: Bell 47D1 (N9115R), Sidney, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's abrupt touchdown while landing in a field. Related factors are the student pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate during the approach to landing, and the flight…
- [NTSB CHI77FEK01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEK01), Oct 1, 1976: Bell 47D1 (N9115R), Johnstown, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC72FID13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FID13), Sep 14, 1971: Bell 47D-1 (N9115R), Millers Tavern, VA, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB FTW69F0392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0392), Feb 25, 1969: Bell 47D1 (N9115R), Denton, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA68A0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68A0012), Sep 21, 1967: Bell 47D1 (N9115R), Currituck, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA66A0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0027), Sep 7, 1965: Bell 47D1 (N9115R), Sligo, NC, 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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