# NTSB MIA92LA069: Bell 47D1, N93067, Cross City, FL, January 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1992, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Cross City, FL
- Coordinates: 29.629564, -83.119155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6296&lon=-83.1192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA069

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT HE PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING INTO TREES.  THE HELICOPTER FELL TO THE GROUND AND CAME TO REST.  EXAM OF THE ENG BY THE OPERATOR WHO HAS AN FAA ISSUED AIRFRAME & POWERPLANT CERTIFICATE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.  THE ENG WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE FACILITY THAT OVERHAULED IT APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS EARLIER.  EXAM ALSO REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE NAME & CERTIFICATE NUMBER ENTERED IN THE ENG LOGBOOK INDICATING THAT THE ENG WAS OVERHAULED WAS NOT VALID ACCORDING TO FAA PERSONNEL LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93067](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93067), registered now, S/N 5501, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5501
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Avico, Inc.
- Registered owner: Avico, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1992, 13 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 7,550 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 45 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 19920127001329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920127001329A), Jan 27, 1992: Bell 47D1, Cross City, FL, Substantial damage. Rough engine and power loss while fire burning trees. Autorotated into trees. Low fuel may have unported turning.

## Other investigations on N93067 (5)

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 ERA14LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA099), Jan 21, 2014: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Pell City, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s use of an improper clutch engagement procedure, which resulted in clutch glazing, slippage, and, ultimately, the in-flight disengagement of the clutch and a loss of rotor rpm.…
- [NTSB MIA90LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA023), Nov 2, 1989: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Loxahatchee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER PULLING UP FROM A SWATH RUN. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF TREES.
- [NTSB FTW85LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA043), Nov 4, 1984: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Terlingua, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW82DA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA189), May 20, 1982: Bell 47D-1 (N93067), Harrisburg, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX67A0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67A0026), Sep 1, 1966: Bell 47D1 (N93067), Quartz Hill, CA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.