Accident Bell 47G-2 N8429E, Wednesday 4 September 1985

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Date:	Wednesday 4 September 1985
Time:	08:30 LT
Type:	Bell 47G-2
Owner/operator:	James Kilpatrick
Registration:	N8429E
MSN:	2478
Total airframe hrs:	6023 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming VO-435-AIB
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Moore Haven, FL - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AROUND HIS PROPERTY, HE SLOWED THE HELICOPTER UP TO DESCEND AND LAND, AT APRX 40 FT ALTITUDE THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO CARBURATOR ICE BUILDUP. HE AUTOROTATED TO A LANDING & ON TOUCHDOWN HIS RIGHT SKID CONTACTED A LARGE BOULDER AND THE MAIN ROTOR TILTED BACK AND STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING AT A TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT THAT IN REFERENCE TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS IS CONDUSIVE TO CARBURATOR VENTURI ICING.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: