Bell-K Copter 47D1 accident near Laurie, Missouri, September 15, 1991
On September 15, 1991 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Bell-K Copter 47D1 (helicopter), registered N7768, was destroyed in an accident near Laurie, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT, DUE TO IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BEFORE FLIGHT, HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID POWER LINES).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 1991 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Laurie, Missouri
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell-K Copter 47D1
- Registration
- N7768 · no longer on the register · serial K9124
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED TO BE CONSUMING BEER WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE BEFORE THE FLIGHT. HE AND 2 OTHERS OF THE GROUP WERE SEEN TO GO THE HELICOPTER, BOARD IT AND TAKE OFF. A WITNESS ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 5 1/2 MILES SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT OBSERVED A HELICOPTER FLYING NEAR TREETOP LEVEL TOWARD HER CAR. SHE SAID THE HELICOPTER THEN TURNED TOWARD A LAKE AND DISAPPEARED FROM HER SIGHT. TWO WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER STRIKE POWERLINE CABLES, THEN CRASH INTO THE LAKE. THE WIRES WERE ESTIMATE TO BE ABOUT 60 TO 75 FT ABOVE THE WATER. TOXICOLOGY TESTS FOR ALCOHOL REVEALED THE PILOT AND 1 PASSENGER HAD BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.161% AND 0.190%, RESPECTIVELY. THEIR URINE HAD ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.155 AND 0.221%. THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD A URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.204%.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,753 hours in all; 979 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6V-335-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Laurie MO at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast; not recorded
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.