# NTSB MIA83FA183: Kaman H-43B, N57996, Near Clermont, FL, July 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1983, 07:44 local (11:44 UTC)
- Place: Near Clermont, FL
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotor system - separation (cause)
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT FROM A HOVER. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS SLOWING DESCENDING TO POSITION A 150 FT LINE FOR THE GROUND CREW WHEN HE OBSERVED SOMETHING SEPARATE AND THE HELICOPTER CAME DOWN IN A VERTICAL DESCENT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ROTOR ASSEMBLIES SEPARATED IN FLT. THE ENGINECONTINUED TO OPERATE AFTER THE CRASH AND HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN. THE PILOT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND DOES NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57996](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57996-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 75, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAMAN H-43B
- Registry model: [Kaman HH-43F](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaman-hh-43f) (registry code 4800708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 60-251
- Airframe hours: 4600
- Engines: LYCOMING T-5311B 900 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Herbert M. Baker
- Registered owner: United Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: LOUGHMAN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MC0, 25 nm away

## 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 19830714031459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830714031459A), Jul 14, 1983: Kaman HH43FCHOPPER, Clermont, FL, Destroyed. Report indicates main rotor transmission section separated while in hover flight. Cause of separation not defined.

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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