# NTSB FTW79FRG13: Bell 47G-4A, N4002G, Falfurrias, TX, January 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 20, 1979
- Place: Falfurrias, TX · FALFURRIAS, TX
- Location: 27.2244° N, 98.1452° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Falfurrias, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2244&lon=-98.1452&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FRG13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1699  79/1/20    FALFURRIAS,TX       BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  2  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 24, 586
        TIME - 1015                    N4002G              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FALFURRIAS,TX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      62
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          290                                                       25
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- HERDING CATTLE.WND GUSTING 40 KT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4002G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4002G-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 6529, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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 19790120021479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790120021479A), Jan 20, 1979: Bell 47G4A, Falfurrias, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was herding cattle at low altitude, hit trees. Gusty winds contributed.

## Other investigations on N4002G (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 ERA15LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA296), Aug 3, 2015: Bell 47G 3B 1 (N4002G), Camden, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A failure of the helicopter's hydraulic flight control systems for reasons that could not be determined due to the fire damage, and the pilot's inability to turn off the hydraulic system to relieve…
- [NTSB ATL03LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA007), Oct 19, 2002: Bell 47G3B1 (N4002G), Highfalls, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots inadequate fuel management, and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a in-flight collision with trees during an autorotation. A factor was the pilot's failure to…
- [NTSB FTW99TA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99TA194), Jul 17, 1999: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N4002G), Sour Lake, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately preflight the helicopter's fuel system resulting in the total loss of engine power as a result of water contamination. Factors were the incorrect filter installed on…
- [NTSB UNK71X0109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK71X0109), Jun 8, 1971: Bell 47G-4A (N4002G), Angola, Angola, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.