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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 24, 1987 · Bell 47J-2 · N73201

Key Colony Bch., FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 24, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Key Colony Bch., FL
Aircraft
Bell 47J-2
Tail Number
N73201
Operator
Michaelson Harlyn
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA018

THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINATES AFTER REFUELING BUT AN EIGHTEEN MINUTE FLT AFTER REFUELING WAS UNEVENTFUL. HE THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER, REMAINED ON THE GROUND APRX 20 MINUTES, PERFORMED A WALK AROUND INSP, AGAIN WITHOUT CHECKING THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN DEPARTED ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT ALONG THE SHORELINE. WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APRX 500 FT THE ENG QUIT. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN THE WATER WAS PERFORMED WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER BUT THE PLT THEN ROLLED IT TO THE RT TO STOP THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES TO EXIT FROM ACFT. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC THE ENG QUIT DUE TO WATER AND FUEL CONTAMINATION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINATES AFTER REFUELING BUT AN EIGHTEEN MINUTE FLT AFTER REFUELING WAS UNEVENTFUL. HE THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER, REMAINED ON THE GROUND APRX 20 MINUTES, PERFORMED A WALK AROUND INSP, AGAIN WITHOUT CHECKING THE FUEL SYSTEM, THEN DEPARTED ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT ALONG THE SHORELINE. WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APRX 500 FT THE ENG QUIT. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN THE WATER WAS PERFORMED WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER BUT THE PLT THEN ROLLED IT TO THE RT TO STOP THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES TO EXIT FROM ACFT. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC THE ENG QUIT DUE TO WATER AND FUEL CONTAMINATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:06 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47J-2
Tail NumberN73201
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichaelson Harlyn
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:48
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data