# NTSB FTW73FRD05: Bell 47J2A, N8431E, Leeville, LA, September 9, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 9, 1972
- Place: Leeville, LA · LEEVILLE, LA
- Location: 29.2480° N, 90.2076° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leeville, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2480&lon=-90.2076&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73FRD05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FRD05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3497   72/9/9    LEEVILLE,LA         BELL 47J2A          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 8216
        TIME - 1508                    N8431E              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 2764 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OIL RIG                     OIL RIG
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE ACCESSORIES: STARTERS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  UNUSUAL NOISE
                                  PROP/ENGINE VIBRATION
        REMARKS- MALFUNCTION OF STARTER VIBRATOR CAUSED ENG TO LOSE POWER
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8431E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8431E-1973-05-24), registration cancelled 1973-05-24, S/N 1792 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- 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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