Bell 47G2A1 N73983
3 July 1982 · Near Mertzon, Texas, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 3 July 1982 at about 16:13 local time, a Bell 47G2A1 registered N73983, operated by HAL E. Noelke, was involved in an incident near Near Mertzon, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.
The record
- Date
- at 16:13
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- Near Mertzon, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 31.2595, -100.8194
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G2A1
- Registration
- N73983
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- HAL E. Noelke
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Near Mertzon → Near Mertzon
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW82IA268
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.
Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.
Read the full NTSB narrative
WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING HOVERED LOW AND SLOW AROUND A WATER TROUGH, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE GROUND AND ON TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT SKID BUCKLED AND THE TAILROTOR GEARBOX SEPARATED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ANT HILL. THE PILOT ORIGINALLY REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE TAILROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE FATIGUE. HOWEVER METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED PARTS INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE FRACTURES HAD OCCURED IN OVERLOAD. THE REPORTED WINDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO LOSS OF TAILROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AT LOWER AIRSPEEDS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 47G2A1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1981 | Bell 47G2A1 | Covington, Kentucky, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 20 Jul 1985 | Bell 47G2A1 | Brook, Indiana, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Oct 1977 | Bell 47G2A1 | Kenner, Louisiana, United States | Helicopter CHA | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 Mar 1977 | Bell 47G2A1 | Laredo, Texas, United States | Coastal Helico | No injuries | - |
| 4 May 1976 | Bell 47G2A1 | Bucyrus, Ohio, United States | Rigel Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 1976 | Bell 47G2A1 | Freer, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1982 | Cessna A150M | Raymondville, Texas, United States | Neal F. Murray | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Mar 1982 | Airmate HP-10 | El Paso, Texas, United States | Morris J. Wright | Minor injuries | - |
| 31 Aug 1982 | American AA-1A | Georgetown, Texas, United States | Delfin Salazar, JR. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Nov 1982 | Cessna 172M | Sherman, Texas, United States | John Brodherd, JR. | Serious injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 1982 | I C A Brasov - Romania IS-28B2 | El Paso, Texas, United States | Jorgen Anderson | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1982 | Piper PA-22-150 | Marlin, Texas, United States | RON Noblitt | Serious injuries | - |