# NTSB ANC69D0082: Bell 47J-2, N73960, Barrow, AK, December 3, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 3, 1968
- Place: Barrow, AK · BARROW, AK
- Location: 71.2644° N, 156.7537° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Utqiaġvik, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2644&lon=-156.7537&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 4, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 107389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC69D0082
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0082

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4271   68/12/3   BARROW,ALAS         BELL 47J-2          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 25, 1213
        TIME - 1045                    N73960              PX-  0  0  1  SEARCH AND RESCUE         TOTAL HOURS, 36 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WILEY POST
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      TAXI: AERIAL TAXI TO TAKEOFF
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- FABRIC M/R BLADE COVER PICKED UP BY M/R THROWN INTO T/R.PLT FAILED TO CLEAR AREA OR SECURE COVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73960](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73960), registered now, S/N 2839 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Wiley Post

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.