Bell 47-G accident near Parker, Florida, May 16, 1993
On May 16, 1993 at about 2:25 pm local time, a Bell 47-G (helicopter), registered N970B, was destroyed in an accident near Parker, Florida. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the misjudgement of the distance by the nonrated pilot-in-command and subsequent collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was the lack of helicopter experience of the pilot-in-command.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 1993 · about 2:25 pm local time
- Place
- Parker, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-G · all 47-Gs on the register
- Registration
- N970B · no longer on the register · serial 1311
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-in-command who was not certificated to fly helicopters struck a tree with the main rotor while on approach. The blades shattered and the helicopter crashed and burst into flames.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,600 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 24, 1992
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6V335 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Rogers Intl. CORP.
The flight
- Departed from: PFN Panama City FL at 2:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:40 pm from PFN, 2 miles away
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.