# NTSB FTW79FRG10: Bell 47G-2, N972B, Alamo, TX, December 6, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 6, 1978
- Place: Alamo, TX · ALAMO, TX
- Location: 26.1810° N, 98.1174° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alamo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1810&lon=-98.1174&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FRG10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3861   78/12/6   ALAMO,TX            BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 1013
        TIME - 1020                    N972B               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 89 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALAMO,TX                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: ROLL-ON/RUN-ON
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  110                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - DOWNWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- LOST ROTOR RPM DURING TURNAROUND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N972B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N972B), registered now, S/N 1320, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, 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 19781206040279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781206040279A), Dec 6, 1978: Bell 47G3B1, Alamo, TX, Destroyed. Lost rotor RPM during turnaround.

## Other investigations on N972B (4)

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 ATL87LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA222), Jul 23, 1987: Bell 47G-2 (N972B), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC75FEV23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FEV23), Mar 17, 1975: Bell 47G-2 (N972B), Eddyville, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX71FUQ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUQ14), Jul 30, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N972B), Oxnard, CA, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX66A0052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0052), Dec 31, 1965: Bell 47G-2 (N972B), Piru, CA, 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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