# NTSB MIA90LA096: Bell 47D1, N10326, Rockledge, FL, March 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1990, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Rockledge, FL
- Coordinates: 28.310882, -80.719749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3109&lon=-80.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA096

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLT, WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT 500 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A NOISE & AUTOROTATED INTO A TREE NURSERY. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT ONE CONNECTING ROD FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ENG POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10326](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10326-1993-02-04), registration cancelled 1993-02-04, S/N 240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 240
- Airframe hours: 4115
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Flaugher, Gary L.
- Registered owner: Rockledge Airpark, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1989, 96 hours before
- Departed: X65, ROCKLEDGE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,190 total, 716 in this make and model, 6,540 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 12 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 19900325005769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900325005769A), Mar 25, 1990: Bell 47D1, Rockledge, FL, Substantial damage. Engine failed on a sightseeing flight. Autorotated into a tree nursery. A connecting rod had failed.

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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