# NTSB MIA91LA215: Bell 47G2A, N7573, Immokalee, FL, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Immokalee, FL
- Location: 26.4240° N, 81.4216° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Immokalee, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4240&lon=-81.4216&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA215

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE GROUND AND A NOSE OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - grass
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER INITIATING TAKEOFF HE NOTED THE ROTOR RPM DECREASING. HE STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THE RPM BY APPLYING AFT CYCLIC CONTROL WHICH HAD NO EFFECT. THE HELICOPTER THEN SETTLED TO THE GRASS SKIDDED FORWARD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7573](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7573-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 2413, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2A
- 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: 2413
- Airframe hours: 7219
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1FHC 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Airwork Enterprises Of Florida
- Registered owner: Airwork Enterprises Of Florida
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 133 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,300 total, 3,100 in this make and model, 9,010 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 24 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 19910907044469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910907044469A), Sep 7, 1991: Bell 47G2A, Immokalee, FL, Substantial damage. Rotor RPM decrease after rising and beginning translational lift. Settled to ground chopped tailboom rolled over.

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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