# NTSB DEN87LA235: Bell 47-G3B2, N1038X, Oakley, UT, September 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1987, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Oakley, UT
- Coordinates: 40.810955, -111.109291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8110&lon=-111.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM A CONFINED AREA SURROUNDED ON TWO SIDES WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB, HE SAID HIS RPM BEGAN TO BLEED OFF. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A RIGHT PEDAL TURN TO AVOID THE WIRES BUT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT A HARD LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER. THE DENSITY ALT WAS 11,677 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1038X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1038X-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 6720, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G3B2
- 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: 6720
- Airframe hours: 3740
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-0435-G1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Knight Hawk Helcopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1986, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,330 total, 150 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19870910058949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870910058949A), Sep 10, 1987: Bell 47G3B2, Oakley, UT, Substantial damage. Misjudged density altitude and safe egress for takeoff. Aborted but lost too much RPM. Chopped tail boom on 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.

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