# NTSB FTW78FA032: Bell 47G, N967B, Eola, TX, March 15, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 15, 1978
- Place: Eola, TX · EOLA, TX
- Location: 31.3988° N, 100.0892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eola, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3988&lon=-100.0892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FA032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA032

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0745  78/3/15    EOLA,TX             BELL 47G            CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 3479
        TIME - 0945                    N967B               PX-  0  1  0  HUNTING                   TOTAL HOURS, 205 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PAINT ROCK,TX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (OWNER PERSONNEL)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNQUALIFIED PERSON OPERATED AIRCRAFT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT NOT HELICOPTER RATED,TAIL ROTOR THRUST BEARING FAILED.T/R BLADES PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N967B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N967B-2009-09-17), registration cancelled 2009-09-17, S/N 1306, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780315012399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780315012399A), Mar 15, 1978: Bell 47G, Eola, TX, Destroyed. Plt not helicopter rated,tail rotor thrust bearing failed.t/r blapreviously damaged.

## Other investigations on N967B (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 MKC76FCQ32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCQ32), Feb 15, 1976: Bell 47G (N967B), Charleston, KS, destroyed

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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