# NTSB FTW74DRG16: Bell 47G-2, N17121, Harlingen, TX, August 21, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 21, 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: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 20, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74DRG16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DRG16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2171  73/8/21    HARLINGEN,TEX       BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 110
        TIME - 0920                    N17121              PX-  0  0  1  POLICE PATROL             TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HARLINGEN INDUST
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HARLINGEN,TEX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- HOVER ABOUT 3 FT AFTER TKOF.LOST CTL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17121](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17121-2011-04-27), registration cancelled 2011-04-27, S/N CCI-101, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (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 19730821026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730821026419A), Aug 21, 1973: Bell 47G2, Harlingen, TX, Substantial damage. Hover about 3 ft after tkof. Lost ctl.

## Other investigations on N17121 (1)

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 FTW69F0318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0318), Dec 19, 1968: Bell 47G-2 (N17121), Watauga, 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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