# NTSB FTW72AF012: Bell 47G-4A, N1319X, Port Oconner, TX, August 31, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 31, 1971
- Place: Port Oconner, TX · PORT OCONNER, TX
- Location: 28.4460° N, 96.4201° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Port O'Connor, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4460&lon=-96.4201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72AF012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF012

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2057  71/8/31    PORT OCONNER,TEX    BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 2763
        TIME - 0758                    N1319X              PX-  1  1  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 1350 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PORT OCONNER,TEX            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED SPEED AND ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - ROUGH WATER
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     110
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           5                                                       VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- CARB HEAT NEEDLE AT BOTTOM OF GREEN ARC WHEN ENG STOPPED. LO ROTOR RPM DURG AUTO.ACFT NOT RCVRD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1319X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1319X-1971-10-07), registration cancelled 1971-10-07, S/N 7529, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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