Bell 47G-2 N96MB

Summary

On 27 May 2000 at about 22:44 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N96MB was involved in an accident near Fort Walton Bch, Florida, United States. 3 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

27 May 2000 at 22:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Walton Bch, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Broadway Helicopters (FA14)

Coordinates

30.4700, -86.6696

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2

Registration

N96MB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA00LA176

Nobody was injured.

The unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command during the forced landing and the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after takeoff climbing through approximately 300 feet, the engine experienced a loss of power. He maneuvered the helicopter towards the beach and landed about 20 yards offshore. No fuel contamination was noted in the fuel tanks that contained sufficient fuel. A slight amount of sand/silt was noted in the fuel strainer; the carburetor bowl contained about a pint of water admixed with sand or silt. The left fuel tank vent line and vent line 'B' nut were damaged. Examination of the engine revealed valve train continuity of all cylinders. During an attempt to start the engine; the magnetos would not producing spark. Examination of the carburetor revealed internal corrosion; no preimpact failure or malfunction was noted. Examination of both magnetos revealed internal corrosion. The points of both magnetos were lightly dressed and high tension tested; both magnetos produced spark. One ignition lead of the left magneto was not firing due to corrosion on one of the electrodes; the corrosion was cleaned and the magneto fired all of the ignition leads. Additionally, the condenser of the right magneto tested bad.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.