# NTSB ATL81FIJ05: Bell 47G, N7897S, Sharples, WV, April 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1981
- Place: Sharples, WV · SHARPLES, WV
- Location: 37.9204° N, 81.8293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sharples, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9204&lon=-81.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FIJ05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FIJ05-126706

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0590  81/4/20    SHARPLES,WV         BELL 47G            CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 19990
        TIME - 1255                    N7897S              PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              TOTAL HOURS, 3550 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHARPLES,WV                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
        REMARKS- L ANTI-TORQUE PEDAL ADJ PAWL & RATCHET HAD 0.200 CLRNC,MANUAL REQUIRES 0.030IN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7897S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7897S), registered now, S/N 6655, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810420020559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810420020559A), Apr 20, 1981: Bell 47G3B1, Sharples, WV, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of helicopter on vertical lift off. Left control pedal was not effective.

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.

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