Bell 47D1G N1200Z

Summary

On 30 July 1996 at about 13:50 local time, a Bell 47D1G registered N1200Z was involved in an accident near West Boca Raton, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 July 1996 at 13:50

Classification

Accident

Location

West Boca Raton, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.3497, -80.1595

Aircraft

Bell 47D1G

Registration

N1200Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Delray Beach → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA96LA197

Nobody was injured.

Failure of the pilot to apply carburetor heat following a loss of engine power due to inadequate altitude over a populated area. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with conditions favorable for carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While orbiting over a residential area about 150-200 feet above ground level, during an aerial photography flight, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated an emergency descent for an autorotative landing to a road but the main rotor blades collided with trees resulting in a hard landing. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat or check the magnetos following the loss of engine power. Examination of the helicopter revealed sufficient fuel quantity to sustain engine operation; no contaminants were found. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed conditions were favorable for light icing at cruise or descent power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.