# NTSB FTW82DA073: Bell 47G, N1773, Dallas, TX, February 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1982, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.710739, -96.840232 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7107&lon=-96.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA073

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A NARROW FLATBED TRAILER. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SOME BUFFETING FROM THE WIND FUNNELING BETWEEN TWO HANGARS. ON HIS THIRD ATTEMPT TO POSITION THE HELICOPTER ON THE TRAILER, THE RIGHT SKID SLIPPED OFF. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT AS THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE SIDE. THE TRAILER'S WIDTH ALLOWED ONLY A 2 INCH CLEARANCE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SKIDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1773](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1773), registered now, S/N SA51, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: SA51
- Airframe hours: 4250
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-350 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larrry W. Samples
- Registered owner: Larrry W. Samples
- Departed: GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
- Destination: DALLAS, TX
- Airport: RBD, Redbird

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 20,215 total, 115 in this make and model, 1,977 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 129 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBD

## 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 19820228001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820228001299A), Feb 28, 1982: Bell 47G, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempting landing of helicopter in narrow flatbed trailer allowed right skid to slip off. Helicopter rolled.

## Other investigations on N1773 (3)

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 IAD78FLJ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FLJ09), Mar 6, 1978: Bell 47G (N1773), New Bern, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76FLG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG04), Jul 26, 1975: Bell 47G (N1773), Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA75FLG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75FLG02), Jul 5, 1974: Bell 47G (N1773), Myrtle Beach, SC, 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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