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NTSB Report
April 10, 1985 · Bell 47G-2 · N54522
Panama City Bch, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Panama City Bch, FL
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N54522
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85FA146
THE PILOT WAS CARRYING TWO PAYING PASSENGERS FOR A SIGHTSEEING RIDE AND HAD TAKEN OFF TWO MINUTES EARLIER FROM A HELICOPTER PAD AT THE BEACH. HE STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENGINE SPUTTER, THE CYCLIC STICK SHAKE, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS LATER THE ACFT HIT THE WATER IN LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE HAD COMPLETED 14 FLIGHTS AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES SINCE HE TOPPED-OFF THE TANKS THE NIGHT BEFORE. HE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE TANKS THAT MORNING. HE DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS CARRYING TWO PAYING PASSENGERS FOR A SIGHTSEEING RIDE AND HAD TAKEN OFF TWO MINUTES EARLIER FROM A HELICOPTER PAD AT THE BEACH. HE STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENGINE SPUTTER, THE CYCLIC STICK SHAKE, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS LATER THE ACFT HIT THE WATER IN LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE HAD COMPLETED 14 FLIGHTS AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES SINCE HE TOPPED-OFF THE TANKS THE NIGHT BEFORE. HE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE TANKS THAT MORNING. HE DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN54522
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC