# NTSB DIA69D0078: Bell 47G, N616X, Gaithersburg, MD, September 18, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 18, 1968
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD · GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Location: 39.1486° N, 77.1951° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gaithersburg, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1486&lon=-77.1951&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 November 5, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 108288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DIA69D0078
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0078

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3182  68/9/18    GAITHERSBURG,MD     BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 50, 9700
        TIME - 1430                    N616X               PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2045 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MONTGOMERY COUNTY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PLT DID NOT CLEAR THE TAKE-OFF AREA PRIOR TO LIFTOFF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N616X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N616X-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N C5015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Montgomery County

## Other investigations on N616X (2)

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 ATL95LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA171), Sep 21, 1995: Bell 47G (N616X), Union City, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of a #4 connecting rod bolt, which resulted in engine stoppage and a forced landing.
- [NTSB UNK64X3113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3113), Jul 29, 1964: Bell 47G (N616X), Dublin, PA, 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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