# NTSB LAX75AL057: Bell 47G3B1, N1381X, Superior, AZ, April 22, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 22, 1975
- Place: Superior, AZ · SUPERIOR, AZ
- Location: 33.2716° N, 111.1242° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Superior, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2716&lon=-111.1242&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 149102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX75AL057
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75AL057

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2967  75/4/22  NR.SUPERIOR,AZ        BELL 47G3B1         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 3248
        TIME - 1345                    N1381X              PX-  2  0  0  CTR PASSG-D               TOTAL HOURS, 402 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KEARNEY,AZ                  SURVEY POINT,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISSING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OPEN
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- T/R SHAFT COUPLING RING MISSING. LOST DIR CTL AT TOO LOW ALT FOR SAFE LDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1381X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1381X-1975-12-22), registration cancelled 1975-12-22, S/N 6578 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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 19750422035809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750422035809A), Apr 22, 1975: Bell 47G3B1, Superior, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. T/r shaft coupling ring missing. Lost dir ctl at too low alt for safe ldg.

## Other investigations on N1381X (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 DEN69F0190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69F0190), Mar 11, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N1381X), Tularosa, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN67A0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67A0024), Sep 21, 1966: Bell 47G3B1 (N1381X), Alamogordo, NM, 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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