# NTSB FTW76DRG41: Bell 47G-4A, N78HB, Artesia Wells, TX, February 17, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 17, 1976
- Place: Artesia Wells, TX · ARTESIA WELLS, TX
- Location: 28.2800° N, 99.2845° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Artesia Wells, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2800&lon=-99.2845&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76DRG41
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DRG41

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0196  76/2/17  NR.ARTESIA WELLS,TX   BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 763
        TIME - 1300                    N78HB               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 263 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ARTESIA WELLS,TX             ENCINAL,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- T/R GR BOX INPUT QUILL GRS UNMESHED DUE WASHER IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. LND ON HILL SIDE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78HB-1989-02-10), registration cancelled 1989-02-10, S/N 7726 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19760217001549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760217001549A), Feb 17, 1976: Bell 47G4A, Artesia Wells, TX, Substantial damage. T/r gr box input quill grs unmeshed due washer improperly installed. Lnd on hill side.

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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