# NTSB DEN71DXD57: Bell 47G3B1, N480MW, Durango, CO, March 15, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 15, 1971
- 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 160611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN71DXD57
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DXD57

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1019  71/3/15    DURANGO,COLO        BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1015                    N480MW              PX-  0  0  0  CHECK                     AGE 27, 3737 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2 IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DURANGO,COLO                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: POWER-ON DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUNDERSTANDING OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           CHECK PILOT - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        REMARKS- CHECK RIDE FOR MT OPNS.NO DUAL CTLS IN ACFT.CK PLS.CK PLT SAID HE YELLED FOR PLT TO GO AROUND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N480MW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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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