# NTSB MIA90LA077: Bell 47G, N4837, Miami, FL, March 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA077

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE LOCATION OF TREES WAS A RELATED FACTOR IN THAT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING AREA DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER PLANNED A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT AND ESTIMATED HE HAD 8 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ABOUT 12 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF. AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO A CLEARING TO AVOID TREES, THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND A HARD LANDING OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4837](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4837-1994-04-08), registration cancelled 1994-04-08, S/N 1453 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1453
- Airframe hours: 10557
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gold Coast Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 1990, 12 hours before
- Departed: MIAMI, FL
- Airport: Gold Coast

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 6 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 19900303003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900303003059A), Mar 3, 1990: Bell 47G, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach after short sightseeing flight. Hard landing severed tail boom. Had run out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N4837 (4)

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 MIA78FKT44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKT44), Apr 26, 1978: Bell 47G (N4837), North Miami, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76FKT67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKT67), Apr 12, 1976: Bell 47G (N4837), N Miami Beach, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76DKT10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKT10), Aug 30, 1975: Bell 47G (N4837), Miami, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA72AM126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM126), May 26, 1972: Bell 47G (N4837), Opa Locka, FL, 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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