# NTSB DEN66A0018: Bell 47G3B, N73249, Durango, CO, September 1, 1965

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1965
- Place: Durango, CO · DURANGO, CO
- Location: 37.2645° N, 107.8741° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Durango, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2645&lon=-107.8741&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1965
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 176368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN66A0018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0663   65/9/1    DURANGO COLO        BELL 47G3B          CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 2000
        TIME - 0820                    N73249              PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              TOTAL HOURS, 440 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- CLUTCH SLIPPAGE DUE TO OVERLOAD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73249](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73249), registered now, S/N 2781, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435-A1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-a1f) (registry code 42200, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N73249 (5)

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 ANC80FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80FA015), Nov 24, 1979: Bell 47G3B1 (N73249), Farewell, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal
- [NTSB MIA78FKQ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKQ12), May 28, 1978: Bell 47G3B (N73249), Red Lick, MS, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74DYG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG07), Aug 1, 1973: Bell 47G3B (N73249), Orofino, ID, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC70F0132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70F0132), Aug 4, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73249), Hemingford, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X1853](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1853), May 19, 1964: Bell 47G3B (N73249), Sheridan, WY, substantial damage

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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