# NTSB MIA95LA054: Bell 47G, N6172, Bunnell, FL, January 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1995, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Bunnell, FL
- Coordinates: 29.46047, -81.249038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4605&lon=-81.2490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA054

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while descending over a lake, resulting in an in-flight collision with water.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot stated he made a descent over a lake, misjudged his altitude, and inadvertently flew the helicopter into the water.

## Factual narrative

On January 3, 1995, about 1535 eastern standard time, a Bell 47G, N6172, registered to Erick E. Fenz, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, flew into Lake Gore while descending. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot rated passenger was not injured. The flight originated from Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida, about 5 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he made a descent over Lake Gore, misjudged his altitude, and inadvertently flew the helicopter into the water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6172 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 687
- Airframe hours: 10190
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4200 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fenz,  Erik  E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1994, 30 hours before
- Departed: X-47, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 385 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 15 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 19950103000129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950103000129A), Jan 3, 1995: Bell 47G, Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. Descended over lake. Misjudged altitude and flew into the water.

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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