# NTSB FTW72FPD35: Bell 309, N309K, Venus, TX, April 11, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 11, 1972
- Place: Venus, TX · VENUS, TX
- Location: 32.4052° N, 97.1044° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Venus, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4052&lon=-97.1044&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72FPD35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FPD35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1487  72/4/11    VENUS,TEX           BELL 309            CR-  0  1  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1617                    N309K               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      AGE 39, 4941 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            31 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ARLINGTON,TEX               TEST AREA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: FLIGHT CONTROL BOOST SYSTEMS, HYDRAULIC
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: OTHER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  PITCH CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- INADQT CHROMIUM PLATING ON MOUNT UNIBALL BEARING.BALL AND RACE SEIZED.PLT UN RAISE COLLECTIVE CTL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N309K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N309K-1980-12-16), registration cancelled 1980-12-16, S/N 2504, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 309
- Registry model: [Bell 309](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-309) (registry code 1182104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- 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.

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