# NTSB FTW79FRD52: Bell 47G-4A, N7104J, Hackberry, LA, September 6, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 6, 1979
- Place: Hackberry, LA · HACKBERRY, LA
- Location: 29.9650° N, 93.4102° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hackberry, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9650&lon=-93.4102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FRD52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRD52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2942   79/9/6    HACKBERRY,LA        BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 2042
        TIME - 1045                    N7104J              PX-  0  0  2  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 122 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GUN COVE,LA                 HACKBERRY,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- SOIL SURVEY.LANDED IN MARSH AREA W SMALL SHRUBS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7104J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7104J-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 7744, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- 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 19790906030949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790906030949A), Sep 6, 1979: Bell 47G4A, Hackberry, LA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. Made autorotation landing in marsh land. Main rotor cut off tail.

## Other investigations on N7104J (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 FTW98LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA030), Oct 16, 1997: Bell 47G-4A (N7104J), Welsh, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction. The abrupt maneuver was a related factor.

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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