# NTSB DEN86LA079: Bell 47G3 B-2, N1424W, Grand Junction, CO, February 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1986, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Location: 39.0639° N, 108.5506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Junction, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0639&lon=-108.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING TO THE INTENDED LANDING AREA, THE HELICOPTER HE WAS PILOTING ENCOUNTERED BOTH DOWNDRAFTS & TAILWIND. THE PLT INDICATED THE HELICOPTER SETTLED UNTIL GRND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1424W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1424W-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 6729, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3 B-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (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: 6729
- Airframe hours: 5904
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1985, 67 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,544 total, 641 in this make and model, 5,131 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19860218002959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860218002959A), Feb 18, 1986: Bell 47G3B2, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. During attempt to land on a mesa in windy conditions, pilot lost control and a hard landing resulted.

## Other investigations on N1424W (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 SEA76DYA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYA36), Jul 8, 1976: Bell 47G3B2 (N1424W), Gooding, ID, 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.

---
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.