# NTSB FTW73AF042: Bell UH-1B, Corpus Chrsti, TX, February 6, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 6, 1973
- 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 173346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73AF042
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73AF042

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-0003   73/2/6    CORPUS CHRSTI,TEX   BELL UH-1B          CR-  2  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             CERTIFICATE UNKNOWN, AGE
        TIME - 1225                    HP668               PX-  0  2  0  TEST                      32, UNK/NR TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, UNK/NR
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CUDDIHY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CORPUS CHRSTI,TEX           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            LANDING: OTHER
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INSTRUMENTS-MISREAD OR FAILED TO READ
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SIMULATED CONDITIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- AUTOROTATION WITH PWR RECOVERY. M/R BLADES FLAPPED AND CUT OFF TAIL PYLON.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: HP668 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Cuddihy

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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