# NTSB MIA85FA146: Bell 47G-2, N54522, Panama City Bch, FL, April 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1985, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Panama City Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.199844, -85.790878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1998&lon=-85.7909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel supply - inadequate, unqualified person
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, company/operator mgmt
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - autorotation - not performed, unqualified person (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CARRYING TWO PAYING PASSENGERS FOR A SIGHTSEEING RIDE AND HAD TAKEN OFF TWO MINUTES EARLIER FROM A HELICOPTER PAD AT THE BEACH. HE STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENGINE SPUTTER, THE CYCLIC STICK SHAKE, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS LATER THE ACFT HIT THE WATER IN LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE HAD COMPLETED 14 FLIGHTS AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES SINCE HE TOPPED-OFF THE TANKS THE NIGHT BEFORE. HE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE TANKS THAT MORNING. HE DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54522 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1375
- Airframe hours: 10666
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yellow Whirleybird, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1985, 0 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,336 total, 2,336 in this make and model, 2,297 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 8 nm away

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.