Bell 47D1 accident near Marathon, FL
On April 22, 1994, a Bell 47D1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Marathon, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 22, 1994
- Place
- Marathon, FL
- Aircraft
- Bell 47D1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 24.710°N, 81.081°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01147
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 22, 1994, about 1128 eastern daylight time, N9660, a Bell 47D1, registered to New Tropical Adventures, Inc., crashed while approaching to land at Marathon, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries. Two passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated at Marathon, Florida, moments before the accident. Witnesses observed the helicopter flying at about 100 to 150 feet agl. They heard a loud "bang" or "explosion" and observed something separate from the tail of the helicopter. The nose of the helicopter dropped down and the helicopter started to yaw to the right as viewed from the pilot seat. The helicopter yawed around two to three times, descended, and impacted on Vaca Key Rock. After impact the helicopter bounced up, began to disintegrate, and went off the island into the water. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Review of the pilot's logbook indicated the pilot had 677 total flight hours, all in rotorcraft helicopters. The pilot first flew the Bell model 47 on January 2, 1994, for .3 hours solo familiarization. The pilot flew two additional solo familiarization flights for .3 hours each on January 12, 1994, and February 18, 1994. On February 19, 1994, the pilot received 1.1 hours of dual instruction in the Bell model 47. Autorotations, hovering, hydraulic failure, and familiarization were listed as the items covered. No flight instructor signature or name was listed. The l
Probable cause
SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW THE PROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE AFTER A PREVIOUS TAIL ROTOR STRIKE, AND FAILURE TO CONDUCT A 100-HOUR INSPECTION WHEN DUE.
More accidents in FL
- Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
- Beech B90, Jan 5, 1994
- Beech B-90, Sep 3, 1999
- Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47, Jun 7, 2012
Browse: Florida · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
