# NTSB MIA89LA213: Bell 47G-2, N3550, Sarasota, FL, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Location: 27.3383° N, 82.5437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarasota, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3383&lon=-82.5437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA213

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE & TREE(S) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT OBSERVED THAT HE HAD LESS THAN FULL FUEL DURING HIS PREFLT INSPN; HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH FUEL FOR HIS INTENDED SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT.  NEARING THE END OF HIS ROUND ROBIN FLT  (ABOUT 1 MI FROM HIS HOME BASE), THE ENG LOST POWER.  THE STUDENT MADE AN AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER HIT A TREE DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3550](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3550-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1942
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dolphin Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 224 total, 44 in this make and model, 114 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SRQ, 1 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 19890805027339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027339A), Aug 5, 1989: Bell 47G2, Sarasota - Brad, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Autorotated to hard landing. CFI failed to check oil for flight.

## Other investigations on N3550 (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 FTW79DPG55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPG55), Jun 19, 1979: Bell 47G-2 (N3550), Earle, AR, 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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