# NTSB FTW78FA035: Bell 47G-4A, N8182J, Morgan City, LA, March 23, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 23, 1978
- Place: Morgan City, LA · MORGAN CITY, LA
- Location: 29.7103° N, 91.1915° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morgan City, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7103&lon=-91.1915&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 11, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FA035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0795  78/3/23  NR.MORGAN CITY,LA     BELL 47G-4A         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 3335
        TIME - 1005                    N8182J              PX-  1  1  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 555 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SHIPSHOAL BK 209B
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHIP SHOAL BLK 209          LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- MAIN ROTOR BLADE COUNTERWEIGHT ROD TIE BOLT FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8182J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Shipshoal Bk 209b

## 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 19780323014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780323014049A), Mar 23, 1978: Bell 47B3, Morgan City, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Main rotor blade counterweight rod tie bolt failed.

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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