# NTSB MIA86LA168: Bell 47-D1, N10065, Panama City Bch, FL, May 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1986, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Panama City Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.200304, -85.790168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2003&lon=-85.7902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - disturbance - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - crew/group briefing - inadequate (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO HOVER THE HELICOPTER AND ALLOW A 'CLOWN' TO TOUCH THE SKIDS WHILE A PHOTOGRAPHER RECORDED THE EVENT LOOKING UPWARD TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE THAT THE 'CLOWN' WAS HANGING FROM THE SKID. THE 'CLOWN' GRABBED THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND FULL RIGHT FORWARD CYCLIC CONTROL. THE PILOT THEN ADDED MORE POWER AND LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE THEN CIRCLED OVER THE HIGHWAY AND THE HELIPORT BUILDING BEFORE CRASHING NOSE LOW INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE 'CLOWN' JUMPED FROM THE HELICOPTER JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10065](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10065), registered now, S/N 830, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 830(51-14065
- Airframe hours: 5780
- Engines: FRANKLIN 210 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Whirley Bird
- Registered owner: Rodney Allison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1986, 71 hours before
- Departed: PANAMA CITY BCH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,400 total, 1,480 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 11 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 19860529019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860529019959A), May 29, 1986: Bell 47D1, Panama City Bea, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was unable to hold hover when ground personnel grabbed skid. Inadequate preflight coordination.

## Other investigations on N10065 (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 ATL82DA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA150), May 29, 1982: Bell 47D1 (N10065), Blountville, TN, 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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