# NTSB FTW82IA268: Bell 47G2A1, N73983, Near Mertzon, TX, July 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1982, 11:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Near Mertzon, TX
- Coordinates: 31.259477, -100.819358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2595&lon=-100.8194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82IA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82IA268

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING HOVERED LOW AND SLOW AROUND A WATER TROUGH, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE GROUND AND ON TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT SKID BUCKLED AND THE TAILROTOR GEARBOX SEPARATED WHEN IT STRUCK AN ANT HILL. THE PILOT ORIGINALLY REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE TAILROTOR BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE FATIGUE. HOWEVER METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED PARTS INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE FRACTURES HAD OCCURED IN OVERLOAD. THE REPORTED WINDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO LOSS OF TAILROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AT LOWER AIRSPEEDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73983](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73983-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 2873, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2A1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a-1) (registry code 1181014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2873
- Airframe hours: 8972
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1E 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Hal E. Noelke
- Registered owner: Hal E. Noelke
- Departed: NEAR MERTZON, TX
- Destination: NEAR MERTZON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,464 total, 186 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 165° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820703027469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820703027469A), Jul 3, 1982: Bell 47G2A1, Mertzon, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of helicopter and claimed tail rotor failure. However investigation revealed overload failure.

## Other investigations on N73983 (2)

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 NYC67A0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0016), Jul 19, 1966: Bell 47G2A1 (N73983), St.Marys, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC66A0155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66A0155), Jun 21, 1966: Bell 47G2A1 (N73983), New Bethlehem, PA, 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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