# NTSB IAD78FA087: Bell 47G2, N47WJ, Pigeon Forge, TN, July 16, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 16, 1978
- Place: Pigeon Forge, TN · PIGEON FORGE, TN
- Location: 35.7980° N, 83.5638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pigeon Forge, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7980&lon=-83.5638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 70-10-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/70-10-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78FA087
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA087

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3357  78/7/16    PIGEON FORGE,TN     BELL 47G2           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 61, 10500
        TIME - 2010                    N47WJ               PX-  0  0  3  CTR PASSG-D               TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PIGEON FORGE,TN             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- FATIGUE FRACTURE OF T/R BLADE GRIP.P/N 47-642-102.INSPECTED IAW AD 70-10-08.IN SERVICE 468HRS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47WJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- 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 19780716035269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780716035269A), Jul 16, 1978: Bell 47G3B1, Pigeon Forge, TN, Substantial damage. Fatigue fracture of t/r blade grip.p/n 47-642-102.inspected iaw A-10-08.in service 468HRS.

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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