# NTSB DEN66A0081: Bell 47G3B1, N1180W, Aspen, CO, May 11, 1966

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 11, 1966
- Place: Aspen, CO · ASPEN, CO
- Location: 39.1952° N, 106.8368° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aspen, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1952&lon=-106.8368&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1966
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 172427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN66A0081
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0081

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0378  66/5/11    ASPEN COLO          BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 602
        TIME - 1350                    N1180W              PX-  0  1  1  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     180
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           8                                                       VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PILOT WAS DISORIENTED BY BLOWING SNOW AND MADE A STEEP DOWNWIND TURN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1180W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1180W-1967-07-13), registration cancelled 1967-07-13, S/N 2947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N1180W (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 DEN66A0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0017), Aug 25, 1965: Bell 47G3B1 (N1180W), Salida, CO, 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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