# NTSB DEN73AD031: Bell 473GB1, N1166W, Zuni, NM, January 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 8, 1973
- Place: Zuni, NM · ZUNI, NM
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73AD031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0119   73/1/8    ZUNI,N MEX          BELL 473GB1         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1500                    N1166W              PX-  0  0  2  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 29, 2016 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            550 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GALLUP,N MEX                RETURN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: POWER-ON DESCENT
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - EXHAUST SYSTEM: EXTERNAL SUPERCHARGER
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- METAL CHIP FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WEDGED IN TURBOCHARGER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1166W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 473GB1
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730108000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730108000859A), Jan 8, 1973: Bell 47G3B1, Zuni, NM, Substantial damage. Metal chip from exhaust manifold wedged in turbocharger.

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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