# NTSB MIA87LA240: Bell 47G, N73DB, New Port Richey, FL, September 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1987, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: New Port Richey, FL
- Coordinates: 28.129381, -82.590621 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1294&lon=-82.5906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA240

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING AN AUTOROTATIVE LNDG FOR A PLANNED CFI CHECKRIDE. DRG THE LNDG, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE AFT PORTION OF THE SKIDS, THEN PITCHED FORWARD. AS IT PITCHED FORWARD, THE PLT APPLIED FULL AFT CYCLIC & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM & SEVERED IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73DB-1993-12-22), registration cancelled 1993-12-22, S/N 1277DBA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell-Daytona Beach 47-G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-daytona-beach-47-g) (registry code 1181017) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1277
- Airframe hours: 5976
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: South Wind Aviation
- Registered owner: Southwind Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1987, 56 hours before
- Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL
- Airport: X41, West Pasco, runway 26, 5,000 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 122 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 17 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 19870904050259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870904050259A), Sep 4, 1987: Bell 47G, New Port Richey, FL, Substantial damage. Landed on aft part of skids on a practice autorotation. Rocked forward used aft cyclic and rotors chopped tailboom.

## Other investigations on N73DB (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 ATL85LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA121), Mar 16, 1985: Bell 47G (N73DB), Erin, 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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