# NTSB MIA88LA018: Bell 47J-2, N73201, Key Colony Bch., FL, October 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1987, 14:06 local (18:06 UTC)
- Place: Key Colony Bch., FL
- Coordinates: 24.720449, -81.020935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7204&lon=-81.0209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - water (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINATES AFTER REFUELING BUT AN EIGHTEEN MINUTE FLT AFTER REFUELING WAS UNEVENTFUL. HE THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER, REMAINED ON THE GROUND APRX 20 MINUTES, PERFORMED A WALK AROUND INSP, AGAIN WITHOUT CHECKING THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN DEPARTED ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT ALONG THE SHORELINE. WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APRX 500 FT THE ENG QUIT. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN THE WATER WAS PERFORMED WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER BUT THE PLT THEN ROLLED IT TO THE RT TO STOP THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES TO EXIT FROM ACFT. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC THE ENG QUIT DUE TO WATER AND FUEL CONTAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73201-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 1849, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1849
- Airframe hours: 12875
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Michaelson, Harlyn
- Registered owner: Ozark Mountain Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1987, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,840 total, 41 in this make and model, 1,565 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 42 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 19871024060599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871024060599A), Oct 24, 1987: Bell 47J2, Key Colony Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Safe autorotative landing in ocean. Rolled to stop blades and drift. Fuel contamination.

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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