Bell 47G accident near Drummond Island, Michigan, May 28, 1984
On May 28, 1984 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Bell 47G (helicopter), registered N10174, was substantially damaged in an accident near Drummond Island, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 1984 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Drummond Island, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- N10174 · no longer on the register · serial 691
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE 2 LOCAL FLTS, DURING WHICH, HE PRACTICED WATER LANDINGS & TAKEOFFS AS WELL AS OTHER MANEUVERS. ON THE 3RD FLT, HE MADE SEVERAL WATER TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. THEN WHILE ON A LANDING, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ROLL QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT. HE APPLIED LEFT CYCLIC & UP COLLECTIVE, BUT THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE WATER. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED, BUT CONTINUED TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE FLOATS. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED WATER INJESTION & WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 15 KTS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,647 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 118 in the last 90 days; 5,065 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,090 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 30, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6VS 335A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bald Island MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.