Bell 47G-3B-1 N1129W

Summary

On 20 May 1983 at about 15:43 local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 registered N1129W was involved in an accident near Montrose, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

20 May 1983 at 15:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Montrose, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

38.4891, -107.8706

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B-1

Registration

N1129W

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Montrose → Storm King Mtn

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN83LA115

1 person had minor injuries.

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

WX AT THE DEPARTURE POINT WAS VMC BUT THE SURROUNDING MOUNTANS WERE PARTIALLY OBSCURED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS FOLLOWING A ROAD UP THE MOUNTAIN & LANDED AS THE VISIBILITY DETERIORATED. EACH TIME THE CLOUD LIFTED THE PLT WOULD LIFT-OFF & AGAIN LAND AS THE VISIBILITY DETERIORATED. DURING THE 5TH TRIP UP THE ROAD, VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 1/2 MI. THE PLT STATED THE 1ST SWITCHBACK WAS '...NOT LANDABLE, BUT THE SECOND ONE APPEARED TO BE.' ABOUT 1/2 WAY TO THE SECOND SWITCHBACK THE CEILING '...PLUMMETED DOWN. THE ROAD CLOSED IN BEHIND ME AND I STARTED LOOSING THE NEXT SWITCHBACK.' OAK BRUSH TREES ON THE HILLSIDE BORE EVIDENCE OF BEING CUT & BROKEN NEXT TO THE WRECKAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.