# NTSB FTW80DRG64: Bell 47G4A, N4779R, Mathis, TX, August 13, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 13, 1980
- Place: Mathis, TX · MATHIS, TX
- Location: 28.0909° N, 97.8170° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mathis, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0909&lon=-97.8170&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80DRG64
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRG64

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2301  80/8/13    MATHIS,TX           BELL 47G4A          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 21, 879
        TIME - 1000                    N4779R              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 842 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MATHIS,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- HERDING CATTLE.TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT,PN 47-644-232-9,FAILED.HOVERING OVR WTR FOR PAX PICK-UP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4779R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4779R-1989-08-10), registration cancelled 1989-08-10, S/N 7665 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (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 19800813036859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800813036859A), Aug 13, 1980: Bell 47G4A, Mathis, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter was hovering over water to pick up passenger and it started spinning out of control, crashing into water

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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