# NTSB MIA85LA243: Bell 47G-2, N8429E, Moore Haven, FL, September 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1985, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Moore Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 26.82974, -81.089302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8297&lon=-81.0893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - anti-ice/deice system,carburetor/heat - not engaged (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AROUND HIS PROPERTY, HE SLOWED THE HELICOPTER UP TO DESCEND AND LAND, AT APRX 40 FT ALTITUDE THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO CARBURATOR ICE BUILDUP. HE AUTOROTATED TO A LANDING & ON TOUCHDOWN HIS RIGHT SKID CONTACTED A LARGE BOULDER AND THE MAIN ROTOR TILTED BACK AND STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING AT A TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT THAT IN REFERENCE TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS IS CONDUSIVE TO CARBURATOR VENTURI ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8429E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8429E-1990-01-24), registration cancelled 1990-01-24, S/N 2478 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2478
- Airframe hours: 6023
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AIB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Kilpatrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1985, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,311 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,236 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 40 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 19850904045889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850904045889A), Sep 4, 1985: Bell 47G2, Moore Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Failure to apply carburetor heat led to power loss. Landed. Skid. Hit a boulder. Main rotor blade hit the tail boom

## Other investigations on N8429E (1)

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 CHI78FEX40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEX40), Sep 23, 1978: Bell 47G2 (N8429E), Waveland, IN, 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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