# NTSB MIA96LA197: Bell 47D1G, N1200Z, West Boca Raton, FL, July 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1996, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: West Boca Raton, FL - Coordinates: 26.349712, -80.1595 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3497&lon=-80.1595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA197 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to apply carburetor heat following a loss of engine power due to inadequate altitude over a populated area. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with conditions favorable for carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis While orbiting over a residential area about 150-200 feet above ground level, during an aerial photography flight, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated an emergency descent for an autorotative landing to a road but the main rotor blades collided with trees resulting in a hard landing. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat or check the magnetos following the loss of engine power. Examination of the helicopter revealed sufficient fuel quantity to sustain engine operation; no contaminants were found. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed conditions were favorable for light icing at cruise or descent power. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1996, about 0950 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47D1G, N1200Z, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a residential area near West Boca Raton, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 aerial photography flight. The airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 0920 from the Antiquers Aerodrome Airport, Delray Beach, Florida. The pilot stated that while orbiting near the passenger's home about 550 feet mean sea level, the engine abruptly lost power. He initiated an autorotative landing to a residential area and while descending to land the helicopter on a road, the main rotor blades collided with trees. The helicopter then landed hard causing substantial damage. He further stated that following the loss of power he did not apply carburetor heat or check the magnetos. The passenger who is a private-rated pilot stated that the pilot was orbiting at an altitude between 150 and 200 feet above the ground. The helicopter was recovered and examination revealed sufficient fuel quantity to sustain engine operation; no contaminants were noted. Examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity. The engine that was semi-attached to the airframe was rotated using the starter and each ignition lead was observed to spark and each magneto was observed to be properly timed to the engine. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that the conditions were favorable for light icing at cruise or descent power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1200Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1200Z-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47D1G - Registry model: [Bell 47D1G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1g) (registry code 1180804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0100 - Airframe hours: 9658 - Engines: Franklin 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald S. Lloyd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1996, 48 hours before - Departed: 3X1, DELRAY BEACH, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,400 total, 296 in this make and model, 4,185 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI ## 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 19960730037069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960730037069A), Jul 30, 1996: Bell 47D1, West Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power circling on photo flight at 200FT. Autorotated. Rotors hit trees landing. ## Other investigations on N1200Z (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 MIA97LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA038), Dec 15, 1996: Bell 47G (N1200Z), Lantana, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: an undetermined throttle problem, which resulted in a stuck (binding) throttle; and inadequate remedial action by the pilot, which led to a hard landing and subsequent nose 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. --- 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.