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NTSB Report
May 29, 1986 · Bell 47-D1 · N10065
Panama City Bch, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Panama City Bch, FL
Aircraft
Bell 47-D1
Tail Number
N10065
Operator
Whirley Bird
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA168
THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO HOVER THE HELICOPTER AND ALLOW A 'CLOWN' TO TOUCH THE SKIDS WHILE A PHOTOGRAPHER RECORDED THE EVENT LOOKING UPWARD TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE THAT THE 'CLOWN' WAS HANGING FROM THE SKID. THE 'CLOWN' GRABBED THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND FULL RIGHT FORWARD CYCLIC CONTROL. THE PILOT THEN ADDED MORE POWER AND LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE THEN CIRCLED OVER THE HIGHWAY AND THE HELIPORT BUILDING BEFORE CRASHING NOSE LOW INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE 'CLOWN' JUMPED FROM THE HELICOPTER JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO HOVER THE HELICOPTER AND ALLOW A 'CLOWN' TO TOUCH THE SKIDS WHILE A PHOTOGRAPHER RECORDED THE EVENT LOOKING UPWARD TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE THAT THE 'CLOWN' WAS HANGING FROM THE SKID. THE 'CLOWN' GRABBED THE LEFT REAR SKID AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND FULL RIGHT FORWARD CYCLIC CONTROL. THE PILOT THEN ADDED MORE POWER AND LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE THEN CIRCLED OVER THE HIGHWAY AND THE HELIPORT BUILDING BEFORE CRASHING NOSE LOW INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE 'CLOWN' JUMPED FROM THE HELICOPTER JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47-D1
Tail NumberN10065
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWhirley Bird
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 210 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC