# Accident 20130425005599A: Bell 407, Big Fork, MT, April 25, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 25, 2013, 10:30 local time
- Place: Big Fork, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 48.1531° N, 113.9239° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1531&lon=-113.9239&mi=10
- Aircraft: N937GR, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N937GR-2017-04-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C47B (registry code 03109, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C47B
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 6,900 total, 140 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR13TA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13TA205) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130425005599A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT ON PUBLIC USE MISSION FOR SHERIFFS OFFICE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON MT AENEAS, MT. ELEV 7254 MSL. DURING HIGH RECON PILOT STATED HE WAS AT 65 KNOTS IAS IN RIGHT HAND ORBIT, AIRCRAFT STARTED SPINNING TO THE RIGHT, PILOT ADDED FULL LEFT ANTI TQ.PEDAL AND LOWERED COLLECTIVE.  AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SPIN AND CONTINUED  DESCENT.  PILOT RAISED COLLECTIVE TWICE TO AVIOD CLIFFS, PILOT MAINTAINED FULL LEFT ANTI TQ. PEDAL.  AIRCRAFT LANDED IN SNOW, RIGHT SKID DUG INTO SNOW AND AIRCRAFT ROLLED ON RIGHT SIDE.  DAMAGE TO TAIL BOOM, ALL DRIVE COMPONETS, WINDSHIELD,  SKIDS AND RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS. LANDING ELEVATION 6300 FT.  WIND FROM THE WEST AT TOP OF MT @ APPX 35 TO 50 KTS.  AIRCRAFT WAS ON LEEWARD SIDE WHEN LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS (LTE)

## 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 WPR13TA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13TA205), Apr 25, 2013: Bell BHT407 (N937GR), Big Fork, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering over mountainous terrain in strong up/downdrafts and possible mountain wave activity, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor…

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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