PANAMA CITY BCH, FL, USA
N54522
BELL 47G-2
THE PILOT WAS CARRYING TWO PAYING PASSENGERS FOR A SIGHTSEEING RIDE AND HAD TAKEN OFF TWO MINUTES EARLIER FROM A HELICOPTER PAD AT THE BEACH. HE STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENGINE SPUTTER, THE CYCLIC STICK SHAKE, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS LATER THE ACFT HIT THE WATER IN LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH A VERY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE HAD COMPLETED 14 FLIGHTS AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES SINCE HE TOPPED-OFF THE TANKS THE NIGHT BEFORE. HE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE TANKS THAT MORNING. HE DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT'S CERTIFICATE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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