# NTSB DEN72FQA31: Bell 47G3B1, N665GD, Raton, NM, January 10, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 10, 1972
- Place: Raton, NM · RATON, NM
- Location: 36.8878° N, 104.4404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Raton, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8878&lon=-104.4404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN72FQA31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FQA31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0195  72/1/10    RATON,N MEX         BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0825                    N665GD              PX-  0  1  0  HUNTING                   AGE 34, 4835 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            963 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RATON,N MEX                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        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                                                     270
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           15                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- HELO HIT GND IN A TAIL LOW R BNK DURG TIGHT DNWND TURN.GUSTY WND & 7200FT MSL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N665GD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N665GD), registered now, S/N 6717, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (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: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N665GD (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 DEN77FTE31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FTE31), Apr 8, 1977: Bell 47G3B2 (N665GD), Greeley, CO, destroyed

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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