# NTSB MIA82DA028: Smith WCS-222 (Bell 47G), N23BS, Miami, FL, January 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1982, 16:07 local (21:07 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.610198, -80.34098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6102&lon=-80.3410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotorcraft flight control system - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND FIRE ERUPTED ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE DRIVEN HYDRAULIC BOOST FOR THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE PILOT WAS FLYING OVER A POPULATED AREA. DURING HIS FORCED LANDING, HE WAS FORCED TO DIVERT TO A SECOND LANDING SITE WITH A CROSSWIND TO AVOID PERSONNEL AND OBSTRUCTIONS. THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 12 KNOTS. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS STILL BURNING IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIR CLEANER, BUT WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23BS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23BS-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N WCS001, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH WCS-222 (BELL 47G) (WCS-222 (B)
- Registry model: [Smith WCS 222 (BELL 47-G)](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-wcs-222-bell-47-g) (registry code 1301532) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: WCS 001
- Airframe hours: 4204
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335-5D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: G. Wayne Stewart
- Registered owner: G. Wayne Stewart
- Departed: MIAMI, FL
- Destination: MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,011 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,650 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820102000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820102000189A), Jan 2, 1982: Bell 47G, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Engine connecting rod failure. Engine fire. Made hard autorotate landing in a school yard. Fire put out on ground.

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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