# NTSB NYC87LA129: Bell 47G, N59321, Bethel, PA, April 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1987, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, PA
- Coordinates: 40.470748, -76.29055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4707&lon=-76.2905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30631
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30631/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND AS THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59321](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59321), registered now, S/N C5018, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell-Carson 47G-SUPER C-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-carson-47g-super-c-4) (registry code 1181060) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5018
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-81A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dwight D.Miller
- Registered owner: Dwight D Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BETHEL, PA
- Airport: 8NI, Grimes, runway 11, 2,860 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,080 total, 610 in this make and model, 925 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870420010689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870420010689A), Apr 20, 1987: Bell 47G, Bethel, PA, Substantial damage. Student allowed helicopter to dip while changing from a hover to a landing mode. Main rotors struck the ground.

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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