# NTSB FTW73DRG47: Bell 47G-5, N7923J, Harlingen, TX, February 2, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 2, 1973
- Place: Harlingen, TX · HARLINGEN, TX
- Location: 26.1906° N, 97.6961° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harlingen, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1906&lon=-97.6961&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73DRG47
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DRG47

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0358   73/2/2    HARLINGEN,TEX       BELL 47G-5          CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1230                    N7923J              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 25, 1350 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            50 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HARLINGEN INDUST
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HARLINGEN,TEX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SIMULATED CONDITIONS
        REMARKS- PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. R SKI DUG INTO SOFT GRND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7923J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7923J-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 25040, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Harlingen Indust

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730202000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730202000819A), Feb 2, 1973: Bell 47G5, Harlingen, TX, Substantial damage. Practice autorotation. R ski dug into soft grnd.

## Other investigations on N7923J (4)

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.

- [NTSB LAX95LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA216), Jun 18, 1995: Bell 47-G5 (N7923J), Coalinga, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: clutch slippage for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the helicopter's low above ground altitude, which limited the pilot's time and ability to recover main rotor rpm.
- [NTSB OAK78DVG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVG52), Jun 21, 1978: Bell 47G5 (N7923J), Napa, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK74DVD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVD28), Mar 24, 1974: Bell 47G-5 (N7923J), Stockton, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73DRG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DRG30), Dec 7, 1972: Bell 47G-5 (N7923J), Harlingen, TX, 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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