# NTSB MIA93LA144: Bell 47G, N3628G, Panama City, FL, June 19, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1993, 11:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.309778, -85.910919 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3098&lon=-85.9109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37365/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA144 ## Probable cause IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER TO ATTAIN EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FENCE & TERRAIN CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command - object - fence (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Roll over, takeoff - aborted - run on landing - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STARTED TO TAKE OFF WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. HE STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT & THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF ROTOR RPM & OBSERVED A FENCE, JUST AHEAD. COLLECTIVE WAS INCREASED TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLE, THEN A RUN-ON LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE RIGHT FRONT SKID HIT A SMALL BUSH, THEN THE HELICOPTER TURNED TO THE RIGHT & COLLIDED WITH A LARGE ROCK COVERED WITH SAND, AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. REVIEW OF WEATHER INFORMATION REVEALED NO RECORD OF TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, GUSTS, OR WINDSHEAR. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1993, at about 1119 central daylight time, a Bell 47G, N3628G, registered to Dane H. Harris, Jr., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, crashed on initial takeoff climb. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private heliport about 1 minute before the accident. The pilot stated in an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was conducting a takeoff with a quartering tailwind. At about 50 feet agl he encountered a downdraft and the rotor rpm began to deteriorate. He lowered the collective pitch to compensate for the loss of rotor rpm and observed a fence to his immediate front. Collective pitch was increased to clear the obstacle and a running landing was attempted to the sand. The helicopter's left skid collided with a pine tree and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The investigation continues. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3628G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3628G-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 808, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 808 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Harris, Jr., Dane H. - Registered owner: Harris,Jr., Dane H. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000 - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PFN, 8 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 19930619019439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930619019439A), Jun 19, 1993: Bell 47G, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Departed downwind. Unable clear obstacles. Loss rotor RPM. Collided with bush and rocks. Unverified downdraft. ## Other investigations on N3628G (2) 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 MIA76FLD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLD46), Feb 22, 1976: Bell 47G (N3628G), Clearwater, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA66A0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0016), Jul 26, 1965: Bell 47G (N3628G), Panama City, 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. --- 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.