# NTSB FTW77FA055: Bell 47J, N6736D, Dallas, TX, May 20, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 20, 1977
- Place: Dallas, TX · DALLAS, TX
- Location: 32.7831° N, 96.8067° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dallas, TX, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7831&lon=-96.8067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 5, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 147659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FA055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FA055

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1571  77/5/20    DALLAS,TX           BELL 47J            CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 3450
        TIME - 0854                    N6736D              PX-  0  0  0  HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADVISORY  TOTAL HOURS, 47 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LOVE FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DALLAS,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      77
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          160                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- M/R BLADE SEVERED T/R DRIVE SHAFT,T/R ASSY.LGT TO MDT VERTICAL TURBC IN LOCAL AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6736D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6736D-1981-05-07), registration cancelled 1981-05-07, S/N 1749 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Love Field

## 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 19770520035189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770520035189A), May 20, 1977: Bell 47J, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. M/r blade severed t/r drive shaft,t/r assy. Lgt to MDT vertical turbc in local area.

## Other investigations on N6736D (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 FTW67A0038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0038), Sep 23, 1966: Bell 47J (N6736D), Leeville, LA, 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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