# NTSB MIA87LA224: Bell 47J-2A, N8523F, Orlando, FL, August 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.450445, -81.470481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4504&lon=-81.4705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft coupling - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE APCH TO LAND THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE ASSY FAILED RESULTING IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PLT THEN AUTOROTATED & LANDED ON THE COMPANY HELIPAD, DURING WHICH THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE ASSY REVEALED THAT THE FWD SHORT SHAFT FAILED TORSIONALLY APRX 2 INCHES AFT OF THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE COUPLING DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICATION IN IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APRX 40' AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8523F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8523F-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 3317, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2a) (registry code 1181106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3317
- Airframe hours: 6965
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-BIB3 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Dolphin Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 1987, 44 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 950 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 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 19870807047339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870807047339A), Aug 7, 1987: Bell 47J2A, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Tail rotor malfunction during approach to land. Entered autorotation. Made a hard landing.

## Other investigations on N8523F (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 OAK79FVW06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FVW06), Dec 31, 1978: Bell 47J2A (N8523F), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC76DCD54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCD54), Jun 27, 1976: Bell 47J-2A (N8523F), Keokuk, IA, 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.

---
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.