# NTSB DEN82FTC05: Bell 47G-3B, N73221, Douglas, WY, June 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1982, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, WY
- Location: 42.7548° N, 105.3978° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Douglas, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7548&lon=-105.3978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTC05

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL APPROACH TO THE LANDING SITE NEAR HIS LOADING DOCK. WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN, THE HELICOPTER AS ON A SLOPE, SO HE PICKED THE CRAFT BACK UP TO A HOVER. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS MOVING THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 4 FT FORWARD TO A MORE LEVEL POSITION WHEN A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT DRIFTED THE CRAFT TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TOP OF THE LOADING DOCK. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS VARIABLE BETWEEN 270 AND 360 DEGREES AT 5, GUSTING 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73221](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73221-1985-11-23), registration cancelled 1985-11-23, S/N 2757 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2757
- Airframe hours: 5407
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO 435 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Dare R. Williams
- Registered owner: Dare R. Williams
- Departed: DOUGLAS, WY
- Destination: DOUGLAS, WY
- Airport: Field Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,190 total, 4,700 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820611022679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820611022679A), Jun 11, 1982: Bell 47B3, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Helicopter drifted into loading dock when pilot was attempting landing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.