# NTSB FTW71FRD45: Bell 47G-4, N73283, Westwego, LA, May 5, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1971
- Place: Westwego, LA · WESTWEGO, LA
- Location: 29.9054° N, 90.1435° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westwego, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9054&lon=-90.1435&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 161121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW71FRD45
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRD45

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0377   71/5/5    WESTWEGO,LA         BELL 47G-4          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 8011
        TIME - 1230                    N73283              PX-  0  0  2  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 3951 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WESTWEGO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WESTWEGO,LA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISSING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 45 MIN TOTAL FLT TIME SINCE T/R SYS INSPN.THIS FLT LASTED 3 MIN.T/R PITCH CTL CROSSHEAD DETACHED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73283](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73283-1976-10-14), registration cancelled 1976-10-14, S/N 3143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Westwego

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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