# NTSB FTW80FA090: Bell 47G3B1, N73972, Mescalero, NM, July 10, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 10, 1980
- Place: Mescalero, NM · MESCALERO, NM
- Location: 33.1346° N, 105.7999° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mescalero, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1346&lon=-105.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA090
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA090

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2299  80/7/10    MESCALERO,NM        BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 3292
        TIME - 0830                    N73972              PX-  0  2  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 153 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          APACHE SUMMIT,NM            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
        REMARKS- PLT STATED MAY HAVE ROLLED OFF THROTTLE DURING ATTEMPT TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73972](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73972-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 2885, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N73972 (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 DEN75AD009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD009), Sep 5, 1974: Bell 47G3B1 (N73972), Ogden, UT, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB DEN73AD039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD039), Feb 21, 1973: Bell 47G3B1 (N73972), Salt Lake City, UT, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN72AD011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD011), Sep 13, 1971: Bell 47G3B1 (N73972), Sandy, UT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA69D0057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0057), Aug 11, 1968: Bell 47G3B1 (N73972), Garden Valley, ID, destroyed

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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