# NTSB FTW70DRG34: Bell 47G-4A, N1438W, Corpus Chrsti, TX, April 11, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 11, 1970
- Place: Corpus Chrsti, TX · CORPUS CHRSTI, TX
- Location: 27.8006° N, 97.3964° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corpus Christi, TX, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8006&lon=-97.3964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 9, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW70DRG34
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70DRG34

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0658  70/4/11    CORPUS CHRSTI,TEX   BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 449
        TIME - 1410                    N1438W              PX-  0  0  0  POLICE PATROL             TOTAL HOURS, 205 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CORPUS CHRSTI,TEX           CORPUS CHRSTI,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
        REMARKS- PLT HOVERED OVER PROPOSED LDG AREA,DECIDED UNSUITABLE. T/R HIT HI GRASS DURG DEPARTURE ATTEMPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1438W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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.