# NTSB DEN73AD015: Bell 47G3B1, N1397X, Hayden, CO, October 3, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 3, 1972
- Place: Hayden, CO · HAYDEN, CO
- Location: 40.4922° N, 107.2643° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hayden, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4922&lon=-107.2643&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73AD015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD015

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3521   72/10/3 NR.HAYDEN,COLO        BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 6800
        TIME - 1610                    N1397X              PX-  0  0  1  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 3500 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CRAIG,COLO                  RETURN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- COUNTING ELK.M/R MAST THRUST BEARING FAILED FOR UNDET REASON.MAST AND M/R SEPARATED BFOR IMPACT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1397X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1397X), registered now, S/N 6585, built 1966 (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)
- 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

## Other investigations on N1397X (4)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA96LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA235), Sep 29, 1996: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Borinquen, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft while hover taxing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and a tailwind.
- [NTSB MIA91LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA217), Sep 15, 1991: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Penuelas, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADVERTENT CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY A PASSENGER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ROLL OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN.
- [NTSB LAX83LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA184), Apr 8, 1983: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Delano, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0020), Oct 12, 1967: Bell 47G-3B (N1397X), Silverthorne, CO, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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