# NTSB DEN81FTE50: Bell 47G3B1, N7863S, Salida, CO, July 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 1, 1981
- Place: Salida, CO · SALIDA, CO
- Location: 38.5301° N, 105.9984° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salida, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5301&lon=-105.9984&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FTE50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTE50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3230   81/7/1  NR.SALIDA,CO          BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1800                    N7863S              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  60, 4275 TOTAL HOURS, 75
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CARR RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SALIDA,CO                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE CONTROLS: THROTTLE-POWER LEVER ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           WEATHER - SUDDEN WINDSHIFT
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        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                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       18
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- AIRFRAME LOG STATED RE-RIGGED THROTTLE-ALSO NOT OK.28JUN ENTRY STATED THROTTLE VERY STIFF TO FULL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7863S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7863S), registered now, S/N 6630 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Carr Ranch

## 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 19810701037689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810701037689A), Jul 1, 1981: Bell 47G3B1, Salida, CO, Substantial damage. Fast landing approach, wind shift. Started late go around. Hit ground hard high density altitude, gusty winds.

## Other investigations on N7863S (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 DEN88GA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88GA088), Mar 21, 1988: Bell 47G-3B1 (N7863S), Gobernador, NM, 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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