# NTSB FTW79FRG52: Bell 47G-4A, N8573F, Alice, TX, August 24, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 24, 1979
- Place: Alice, TX · ALICE, TX
- Location: 27.7556° N, 98.0658° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alice, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7556&lon=-98.0658&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FRG52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2548  79/8/24  NR.ALICE,TX           BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 3410
        TIME - 0930                    N8573F              PX-  0  0  1  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 3358 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ALICE,TX                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX,PINION SHAFT THRUST BEARING FAILED DRG ROUND-UP.AUTOROTATION AFTR CLRNG TREES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8573F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8573F-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 7505, built 1966 (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: reciprocating
- 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 19790824027239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790824027239A), Aug 24, 1979: Bell 47G4A, Alice, TX, Substantial damage. Tail rotor gear box bearing failed.

## Other investigations on N8573F (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 FTW82DRG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRG16), Dec 9, 1981: Bell 47G-4A (N8573F), Encinal, TX, 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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