# NTSB FTW80FRJ37: Bell 47G-2A, N73988, Cottonport, LA, September 3, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 3, 1980
- Place: Cottonport, LA · COTTONPORT, LA
- Location: 30.9892° N, 92.0510° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cottonport, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9892&lon=-92.0510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FRJ37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FRJ37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2504   80/9/3  NR.COTTONPORT,LA      BELL 47G-2A         CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 51,
        TIME - 1330                    N73988              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  UNK/NR TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         COTTONPORT,LA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: CYCLIC PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        REMARKS- LATERAL CTL TORQUE TUBE PIVOT SHAFT FAILED IN FATIGUE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73988](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73988-1994-03-03), registration cancelled 1994-03-03, S/N 2878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a-1) (registry code 1181014) (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 19800903039319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800903039319A), Sep 3, 1980: Bell 47G2A1, Cottonport, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot lost lateral control due to airframe failure. Crashed out of control.

## Other investigations on N73988 (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 CHI93LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA201), Jun 11, 1993: Bell 47G-2A-1 (N73988), Phlox, WI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE CYCLIC CONTROL.

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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