# Accident 19970817025889A: Bell 47G4A, Wellpinit, WA, August 17, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 17, 1997
- Place: Wellpinit, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.8909° N, 117.9902° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8909&lon=-117.9902&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9571, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9571-2026-04-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-4A (registry code 1181031, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA97LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA191) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970817025889A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON AUGUST 17, 1997, ABOUT 1420 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, N9571, A BELL 47G HELICOPTER, OPERATED BY THE OWNER/PILOT, IMPACTED TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING LANDING NEAR WELLPINIT, WASHINGTON. THE PRIVATE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR 91. ACCORDING TO AN OFFICER WITH THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS WHO ARRIVED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. THE OFFICER STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A GRAVEL BAR ON A BANK OF THE SPOKANE RIVER. DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SLIDE ON THE ROCKS AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE SLIDING MOTION. A MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER TUMBLED ONTO THE ROCKS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA97LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA191), Aug 17, 1997: Bell 47G (N9571), Wellpinit, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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