# NTSB MIA97LA038: Bell 47G, N1200Z, Lantana, FL, December 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 15, 1996, 12:56 local (17:56 UTC) - Place: Lantana, FL - Coordinates: 26.579442, -80.069808 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5794&lon=-80.0698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA038 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - throttle/power lever - undetermined (cause) - throttle/power lever - binding(mechanical) (cause) - Hard landing, emergency landing - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command - flare - not attained, pilot in command - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot stated that as he was descending on right base for landing, the throttle stuck full open, and the engine began to overspeed. He entered autorotation and turned into the wind. Reportedly, he did not initiate a deceleration (flare), and the helicopter collided with the ground in a nose-high attitude, bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The helicopter was destroyed by a postcrash fire. No pre-accident deficiency was found during examination of the wreckage. ## Factual narrative On December 15, 1996, about 1256 eastern standard time, a Bell 47G, N1200Z, registered to Don l. Aircraft Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a reported stuck throttle and engine overspeed while in the traffic pattern at Lantana, Florida. The pilot entered autorotation and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The airline transport pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that as he was descending on right base for landing, the throttle stuck and the engine started to overspeed. He entered autorotation and turned into the wind. He did not initiate a deceleration. The helicopter collided with the ground in a nose-high attitude, bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the throttle assembly by the FAA revealed no deficiencies. ## 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 47G - 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: 100 - Airframe hours: 243 - Engines: Franklin 100Z1HV 215 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald S. Lloyd - Registered owner: Don L Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1996, 67 hours before - Departed: LNA - Airport: LNA, Palm Beach County Park ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 6 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 19961215039369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961215039369A), Dec 15, 1996: Bell 47G, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Stuck throttle. Engine overspeed in pattern. Autorotated. Turned into wind failed decelerated. Bounced. Nosed over. ## 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 MIA96LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA197), Jul 30, 1996: Bell 47D1G (N1200Z), West Boca Raton, FL, substantial damage. 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… 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.