# NTSB FTW84LA144: Bell 47G4A, N7956J, Refugio, TX, February 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1984, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Coordinates: 28.300481, -97.269538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3005&lon=-97.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - stabilizer - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO HERD CATTLE IN A HEAVILY WOODED/BRUSHY AREA. THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS IN A HOVER MANEUVER AT 50-60 FT AGL WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER. IT IMMEDIATELY PITCHED NOSE DOWN & STARTED TO ROTATE TO THE RIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 2 ROTATIONS THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND. PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY THE PLT SHOW THAT THE TAILBOOM & BOTH L & R STABILIZERS HAD SEPARATED. THEY ALSO SHOW AN IMPACT ON THE T/R DRIVE SHAFT & PITCH CHANGE LINKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7956J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7956J-1986-05-30), registration cancelled 1986-05-30, S/N 7761 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7761
- Airframe hours: 2821
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis O'Connor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1982

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,744 total, 4,935 in this make and model, 8,608 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19840221003819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840221003819A), Feb 21, 1984: Bell 47G4A, Refugio, TX, Destroyed. Report indicates pilots control inputs caused a tail boom strike by a main rotor while herding cattle.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.