# NTSB IAD78FA031: Bell 47J, N6771D, Chesapeake, VA, January 10, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 10, 1978
- Place: Chesapeake, VA · CHESAPEAKE, VA
- Location: 36.8190° N, 76.2749° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chesapeake, VA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8190&lon=-76.2749&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FA031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2183  78/1/10    CHESAPEAKE,VA       BELL 47J            CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 2078
        TIME - 1223                    N6771D              PX-  1  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 23 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NORFOLK,VA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: SUBSTANDARD QUALITY CONTROL
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
        REMARKS- APRX 90% BOND SEPARATION OF M/R BLADES DUE SLICK-OFF.IMPROPER SURFACE PREPARATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6771D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6771D-1980-11-07), registration cancelled 1980-11-07, S/N 1795 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J
- Registry model: [Bell 47J](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j) (registry code 1181102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780110027129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780110027129A), Jan 10, 1978: Bell 47B3, Chesapeake, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aprx 90 bond separation of m/r blades due slick-off. Improper sur preparation.

## Other investigations on N6771D (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 UNK65X1123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1123), Dec 24, 1964: Bell 47J (N6771D), Intracoastal C, LA, 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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