# NTSB DEN84LA260: Bell 47G, N7965J, West Glacier, MT, August 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1984, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: West Glacier, MT
- Coordinates: 47.989112, -114.270103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9891&lon=-114.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING IN-FLIGHT POWER LOSS THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION TO A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR MADE CONTACT WITH A PASSING MOTOR HOME. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL ON BOARD, ALTHOUGH THE PILOT CALCULATED 0.6 HOURS OF FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7965J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7965J), registered now, S/N 6859, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6859
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-F1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Krueger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 95 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,385 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 140 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCA, 8 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19840805069759I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840805069759I), Aug 5, 1984: Bell 47G3B2A, West Glacier, MT, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N7965J (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 SEA98LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA069), May 3, 1998: Bell 47G3B2A (N7965J), Stanwood, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the number two connecting rod, which led to additional internal engine damage and a complete loss of power. Factors include soft terrain in the area where the pilot found it necessary…

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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