# NTSB MIA87LA133: Bell 206L, N16780, Miami, FL, April 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1987, 23:38 local (Apr 12, 1987, 03:38 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.780002, -80.149917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7800&lon=-80.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - total, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

UNLICENSED PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HELICOPTER WHILE IN HOVER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL THE HELICOPTER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED TO EARTH AND ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT WAS ON PROBATION FOR ATTEMPTING TO STEAL A HELICOPTER ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION. THE PLT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES IN THE ACC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16780-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 45112, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45112
- Airframe hours: 8709
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Municipal Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1986, 50 hours before
- Airport: X48, Miami Municipal Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 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 19870411009039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870411009039A), Apr 11, 1987: Bell 206L, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. The helicopter impacted the ramp during hover. A non certificated pilot was attempting to steal the aircraft.

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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