# Accident 19971016046479A: Bell 47G4A, Welch, LA, October 16, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 16, 1997, 09:55 local time
- Place: Welch, LA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 30.2293° N, 92.8103° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2293&lon=-92.8103&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7104J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7104J-2018-02-15) (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
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971016046479A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON OCTOBER 16, 1997, AT APPROXIMATELY 0955 CDT, A BELL 47G-4A HELICOPTER, N7104J, OWNED AND OPERATED BY INDUSTRIAL HELICOPTERS INC., UNDER TITLE 14 CFR PART 137, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT MANEUVER TO AVOID A WIRE AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN DUE TO RAPID SETTLING OF THE HELICOPTER NEAR WELCH, LOUISIANA. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT INJURED, AND THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE LOCAL AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED.

## 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 FTW98LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA030), Oct 16, 1997: Bell 47G-4A (N7104J), Welsh, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction. The abrupt maneuver was a related factor.

## Other reports on N7104J (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19790906030949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790906030949A), Sep 6, 1979: Bell 47G4A (N7104J), Hackberry, LA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. Made autorotation landing in marsh land. Main rotor cut off tail.

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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