Bell 47D1 N342L
17 April 1989 · Miami, Florida, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 17 April 1989 at about 14:00 local time, a Bell 47D1 registered N342L, operated by Stevens, Charlie C., was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Miami, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 25.6003, -80.5110
- Aircraft
- Bell 47D1
- Registration
- N342L
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Stevens, Charlie C.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Miami → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA89LA133
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE UNQUALIFIED PERSONS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE FENCE. PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS, LACK OF EXPERIENCE, AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PRIVATE PLT WITH NO HELICOPTER RATING LANDED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING A CONVICTED DRUG SMUGGLER CONFINED TO A LIFE TERM TO ESCAPE. DURING LIFT-OFF, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A CONCERTINA WIRE-TOPPED FENCE & CRASHED. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE ARRESTED & TRANSPORTED TO THE PRISON WARD OF A LOCAL HOSPITAL. NTSB FORM 6120.1, REPORT OF ACFT ACCIDENT WAS NOT RETURNED BY THE PLT TO THE NTSB'S MIAMI REGIONAL OFFICE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 47D1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1989 | Bell 47D1 | Loxahatchee, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Dec 1989 | Bell 47D1 | Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Jun 1990 | Bell 47D1 | Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Apr 1990 | Bell 47D1 | Hickman, Kentucky, United States | Dennis M. Hoppe | No injuries | - |
| 2 Dec 1988 | Bell 47D1 | Russell, Massachusetts, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Mar 1990 | Bell 47D1 | Rockledge, Florida, United States | Flaugher, Gary L. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 1989 | Cessna 172H | Melbourne, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 1989 | Piper AEROSTAR 600 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Top Flight Air Service | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Mar 1989 | Bellanca 7KCAB | Daytona Bch Shr, Florida, United States | Aerial Messages, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft C-45H | Tampa, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 1989 | Coutz QUICKIE Q-2 | Lake City, Florida, United States | Rowe, Reardon L. | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150M | Miramar, Florida, United States | Tursair, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |