# NTSB FTW82DRG16: Bell 47G-4A, N8573F, Encinal, TX, December 9, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 9, 1981
- Place: Encinal, TX · ENCINAL, TX
- Location: 28.0405° N, 99.3545° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Encinal, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0405&lon=-99.3545&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 122973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DRG16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRG16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3135   81/12/9 NR.ENCINAL,TX         BELL 47G-4A         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 8278
        TIME - 0930                    N8573F              PX-  0  0  1  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 2576 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ENCINAL,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: SPRAG SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- HERDING CATTLE.LOST PWR TO MAIN ROTOR AT APRX 60FT AGL,OBSTNS AHEAD.FND WEAK SPG IN FREEWHLG UNIT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8573F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8573F-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 7505, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (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 19811209079339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811209079339A), Dec 9, 1981: Bell 47G4A, Encinal, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during autorotation after power failure on liftoff.

## Other investigations on N8573F (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 FTW79FRG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG52), Aug 24, 1979: Bell 47G-4A (N8573F), Alice, 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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