# NTSB FTW81DRG40: Bell 47G-4, N7948S, Eagle Pass, TX, June 11, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 11, 1981
- Place: Eagle Pass, TX · EAGLE PASS, TX
- Location: 28.7011° N, 100.4762° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eagle Pass, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7011&lon=-100.4762&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DRG40
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRG40

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1545  81/6/11    EAGLE PASS,TX       BELL 47G-4          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1140                    N7948S              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  AGE 51, 10000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EAGLE PASS,TX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LOST ENG PWR WHILE HERDING CATTLE.MNVRD ACFT DRG LNDG TO AVOID WIRES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7948S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7948S-1986-05-20), registration cancelled 1986-05-20, S/N 7571 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4
- 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 19810611035609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810611035609A), Jun 11, 1981: Bell 47G4A, Eagle Pass, TX, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed during cattle herding operation. Investigation revealed fuel exhaustin.

## Other investigations on N7948S (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 FTW76DRG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DRG34), Jan 10, 1976: Bell 47G-4A (N7948S), 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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