# NTSB MKC81FCG36: Bell 47J-2, N73265, Branson, MO, May 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 26, 1981
- Place: Branson, MO · BRANSON, MO
- Location: 36.6246° N, 93.2934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Branson, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6246&lon=-93.2934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81FCG36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCG36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1089  81/5/26    BRANSON,MO          BELL 47J-2          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE UNK/NR,
        TIME - 1100                    N73265              PX-  0  0  4  OTHER                     10667 TOTAL HOURS, 7015
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRANSON,MO                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- SIGHTSEEING RIDE.#6 CON ROD FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73265](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73265-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1869, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- 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 19810526030079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810526030079A), May 26, 1981: Bell 47J2, Branson, MO, Substantial damage. Engine failed. Hard autorotation landing. Connecting rod fatigue failure. Five persons on board four-place craft.

## Other investigations on N73265 (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 DEN87LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA204), Jul 30, 1987: Bell 47J-2 (N73265), Canon City, CO, 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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