# NTSB DEN87LA204: Bell 47J-2, N73265, Canon City, CO, July 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1987, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Canon City, CO
- Coordinates: 38.440166, -105.230033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4402&lon=-105.2300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - climb - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ATP PLT WAS FLYING SIGHTSEEING RIDES. THERE WERE TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE FOUR PASSENGER HELICOPTER. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10000 FEET. THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PLT ABORTED TAKEOFF AND LANDED. AFTER AN ENG RUNUP THE PLT TOOK OFF AGAIN AND THE HELICOPTER WAS BROUGHT TO A HOVER TO RETURN TO THE LOADING AREA. WHILE TURNING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A FENCE AND WAS SEVERED. THE HELICOPTER MADE AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN AND THE PLT EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT A PLUG WAS MISSING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73265](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73265-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1869, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1869
- Airframe hours: 4321
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ozark Mountain Helicopters
- Registered owner: Bud Michaelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1986, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,149 total, 28 in this make and model, 9,941 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °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 19870730044909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870730044909A), Jul 30, 1987: Bell 47J2, Canon City, CO, Substantial damage. Density altitude caused pilot to abort after a high hover. Returned. Tail rotor struck a fence.

## Other investigations on N73265 (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 MKC81FCG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCG36), May 26, 1981: Bell 47J-2 (N73265), Branson, MO, 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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