# NTSB MIA83LA212: Bell 47J, N5824, Labelle, FL, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Labelle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.639408, -81.340072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6394&lon=-81.3401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA212

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, unknown
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 150 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK TREES & THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT ESTIMATED THERE WAS 15 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD DURING THE PREFLIGHT, BUT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT VISUALLY CHECK FUEL LEVEL. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE FOUND LESS THAN MINIMAL FUEL & BELIEVED THE ENG STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5824](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5824-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 1731, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1731
- Airframe hours: 11200
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1B 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Clarence L. Davis
- Registered owner: Don M. Gaertner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 22, 2,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,327 total, 15 in this make and model, 6,803 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMX, 30 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 19830826044469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826044469A), Aug 26, 1983: Bell 47J, Labelle, FL, Substantial damage. Engine stopped during a test flight. Struck a tree on the forced landing. Fuel tanks were devoid of usable fuel.

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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