# NTSB DEN75AD022: Bell 47G3B1, N1170W, Vernal, UT, October 26, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 26, 1974
- Place: Vernal, UT · VERNAL, UT
- Location: 40.4517° N, 109.5381° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vernal, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4517&lon=-109.5381&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN75AD022
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD022

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3215  74/10/26 NR.VERNAL,UT          BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 2341
        TIME - 1730                    N1170W              PX-  0  0  2  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 1518 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         VERNAL,UT                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - ROUGH WATER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      32
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 13000 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1170W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1170W-2021-08-12), registration cancelled 2021-08-12, S/N 2944, built 1965 (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: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- 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 19741026043219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741026043219A), Oct 26, 1974: Bell 47G3B1, Vernal, UT, Substantial damage. Density alt 13000 ft.

## Other investigations on N1170W (3)

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 CEN19TA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA280), Aug 20, 2019: Bell 47G (N1170W), Montrose, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from attitude-induced unporting of the fuel.
- [NTSB DEN82FTM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTM02), Nov 5, 1981: Soloy 47 (N1170W), Fruitland, UT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA76FTI02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FTI02), Jul 9, 1975: Bell 47G3B1 (N1170W), Elliston, MT, 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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