# NTSB MIA86LA152: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1159W, Panama City, FL, May 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1986, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.199842, -85.790664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1998&lon=-85.7907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, descent
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Propeller/rotor contact to person, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE APPROACHING TO LAND DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLT A LOSS OF ENG PWR WAS EXPERIENCED AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE 70 FT SHORT OF THE HELIPAD. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE PLT STATED AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ENG CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT IDLE SPEED. POST ACCIDENT TESTS OF THE ENG TO A PWR SETTING HIGHER THAN THE PLT HAD SELECTED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A CHECK OF THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THE FLIGHT WAS MADE UNDER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE PWR AND VISIBLE CARBURETOR ICING AT RATED PWR. THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE OR AFTER THE LOSS OF ENG PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1159W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1159W-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 2941, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2941
- Airframe hours: 5344
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Max J.Short, doing business as International Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1985, 59 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,246 total, 1,905 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PEN, 5 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 19860509016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860509016679A), May 9, 1986: Bell 47G3B1, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power due to carburetor ice. Main rotor blade severed tail boom on landing. Did not use carburetor heat.

## Other investigations on N1159W (2)

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 WPR19LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA019), Nov 2, 2018: Bell 47G (N1159W), Wichita Falls, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ATL80DLA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DLA09), Aug 16, 1980: Bell 47G (N1159W), Blakely, GA, 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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