Plane Crash List

Bell 47 N73279

30 March 1991 · Thompson Pass, Alaska, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 30 March 1991 at about 19:00 local time, a Bell 47 registered N73279 was involved in an accident near Thompson Pass, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 19:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Thompson Pass, Alaska, United States
Coordinates
61.1497, -146.8107
Aircraft
Bell 47
Registration
N73279
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Purpose of flight
Unknown
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Thompson Pass → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
ANC91LA041

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
3 0 0 0 3

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND IMPROPER FLARE DURING LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ON FINAL APPROACH TO A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT THE 5,000 FOOT LEVEL, THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING. AFTER GROUND IMPACT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
28 Oct 1991 Bell 47D-1
N925V
Rome, Georgia, United States Silver Hawk Aviation No injuries -
26 Sep 1991 Bell 47G-5A
N59424
Pearsall, Texas, United States Tiller Helicopter Service, Inc Minor injuries -
19 May 1991 Bell 47G-3B-1
N73903
Malott, Washington, United States Cascade Helicopter No injuries -
20 Aug 1991 Bell 47G
N4062G
Kettleman City, California, United States Shafter Aviation, Inc. Minor injuries -
10 Sep 1991 Bell 47G-3B-2
N2618D
Chula Vista, California, United States K & L Helicopters Minor injuries -
15 May 1991 Bell 47-G3B1
N2619B
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, United States Agricultural Helicopter Serv. Serious injuries -

All 1,633 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
1 Mar 1991 Piper PA-20
N2636A
Anchorage, Alaska, United States Hickok, Bruce D. No injuries -
22 May 1991 David K Maxwell MAX-1
N4921S
Sutton, Alaska, United States Stanley R. Dapkus Serious injuries -
5 Jan 1991 Cessna 172G
N4468L
Wasilla, Alaska, United States
no coordinates
Larry M. Driskill No injuries -
2 Feb 1991 Champion 7EC
N8988R
Eagle River, Alaska, United States Robert C. Bischoff No injuries -
29 Mar 1991 Cessna 206
N6216U
Homer, Alaska, United States - Fatal 4
9 Apr 1991 Piper PA-18-150
N6966D
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States - Fatal 1

All 170,864 records in United States