# NTSB FTW96TA383: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1335X, Rangely, CO, September 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: September 10, 1996, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Rangely, CO - Coordinates: 40.079914, -108.770957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0799&lon=-108.7710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96TA383 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20002/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96TA383 ## Probable cause the pilot's excessive cyclic control input during a low altitude operation, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from high vegetation (sage brush). The proximity of high vegetation was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command - cyclic - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, hover - directional control - not possible - Hard landing, emergency landing - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis While attempting to turn some horses, the pilot applied excessive aft cyclic control and the tail rotor struck a large sage brush. Directional control was lost and the helicopter turned right. The pilot attempted a 'hovering autorotation' from 15 feet and a hard landing ensued. The main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom, and the right skid collapsed. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1996, approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N1335X, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Rangely, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the business flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated near Rangely approximately 1530. The following is based on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report and a conversation the pilot had with an FAA inspector. The pilot was working under a Bureau of Land Management contract. While attempting to turn some horses, he applied excessive aft cyclic control and the tail rotor struck a large sage brush. Directional control was lost and the helicopter turned right. The pilot attempted a "hovering autorotation" from 15 feet and a hard landing ensued. The main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom, and the right skid collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1335X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1335X), registered now, S/N 6556, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6556 - Airframe hours: 10131 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clifford J. Heaverne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1996, 42 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,478 total, 9,264 in this make and model, 22,054 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °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 19960910035739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960910035739A), Sep 10, 1996: Bell 47G3B1, Rangely, CO, Substantial damage. During herding horses for bofl contract. Tail rotor hit large sage brush. Too low to auto. Impacted. Chopped tail. ## Other investigations on N1335X (4) 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 LAX97TA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97TA213), Jun 16, 1997: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1335X), Fallon, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: exhaustion of the aircraft's fuel supply, due to improper planning and/or decision. A factor related to the accident was the high density altitude which made a successful autorotative landing… - [NTSB LAX79DX030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DX030), Jul 14, 1979: Bell 47G3B1 (N1335X), Montello, NV, substantial damage - [NTSB CAN70A4457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CAN70A4457), Jul 26, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N1335X), Hope, Canada, destroyed, 3 fatal - [NTSB OAK69F0318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69F0318), May 11, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N1335X), Las Vegas, NV, 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. --- 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.