# NTSB DEN88FA106: Bell 47G-3B1, N8455E, Cortez, CO, May 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1988, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cortez, CO
- Coordinates: 37.3498, -108.569908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3498&lon=-108.5699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF AND REACHED AN ALT OF ABOUT 300 FT WHEN HIS COLLECTIVE CONTROL WENT 'LIMP'. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT, PARTIALLY CONTROLLED BY THE PLT USING THROTTLE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUTS. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT MUD.  THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD AND THEN AFT CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO SEVER THE TAIL BOOM AND ALSO STRIKE THE GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. SEVERAL BROKEN PARTS WERE EXAMINED AT A LAB. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR CORROSION ON THE FRACTURED SURFACES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8455E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8455E-2018-12-19), registration cancelled 2018-12-19, S/N 2658, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (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: 2658
- Airframe hours: 7262
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-A1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stocks, Kenneth M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1988, 22 hours before
- Destination: DELORES, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 300 in this make and model, 695 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °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 19880507023589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880507023589A), May 7, 1988: Bell 47G3B, Cortez, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot reported loss of cyclic on initial climb. Made hard landing chopping tail boom. Impact fire. No defects noted

## Other investigations on N8455E (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 SEA71DVQ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DVQ22), Apr 7, 1971: Bell 47G3B (N8455E), Days Creek, OR, 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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