# NTSB MIA90LA123: Bell TH-13T, N67223, Biloxi, MS, May 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 00:15 local (05:15 UTC)
- Place: Biloxi, MS
- Coordinates: 30.400123, -88.970321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4001&lon=-88.9703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA123

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER'S INTENTIONAL ACT OF JUMPING IN THE AIR WITH HIS ARM RAISED WHILE UNDER THE MAIN ROTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - idling rotors
  - judgment - poor, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER A SIGHTSEEING FLT, TWO PASSENGERS WERE WALKING AWAY FROM THE HELICOPTER WHEN ONE JUMPED INTO THE AIR WITH HIS LEFT ARM RAISED. THE DECELERATING MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE PASSENGER'S UPRAISED HAND AND SEVERED PORTIONS OF THREE FINGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67223](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67223-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 3471, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TH-13T
- Registry model: [Bell TH-13T](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-th-13t) (registry code 1180813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3471
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,060 total, 1,180 in this make and model, 1,895 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BIX, 4 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 19900519016919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519016919A), May 19, 1990: Bell TH13T, Biloxi, MS. Deplaneing passenger jumped with arms raised after sightseeing flight. Rotors severed three fingers. Safety briefed

## Other investigations on N67223 (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 MKC90FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA130), Jun 16, 1990: Bell 47G-3B1 (N67223), Cedar Rapids, IA, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT. DARKNESS AND THE PILOT'S MANNER OF FLYING THE AIRCRAFT (OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED…

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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