# NTSB NYC74AN035: Bell 47G-5, N8556F, Waynesburg, PA, October 25, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 25, 1973
- Place: Waynesburg, PA · WAYNESBURG, PA
- Location: 39.8983° N, 80.1855° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waynesburg, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8983&lon=-80.1855&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC74AN035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3225  73/10/25   WAYNESBURG,PA       BELL 47G-5          CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 2620
        TIME - 1610                    N8556F              PX-  1  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 1260 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WASHINGTON,PA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - POOR WELD
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CORRODED/CORROSION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TAIL BOOM SEPARATED AT STA 70.PRIOR DMG & REPAIRS TO AREA IN 1969.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8556F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8556F-2026-01-07), registration cancelled 2026-01-07, S/N 7804, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (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: 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 19731025036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731025036439A), Oct 25, 1973: Bell 47G5, Waynesburg, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tail boom separated at sta 70.prior dmg & repairs to area in 1969.

## Other investigations on N8556F (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 NYC70D0055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0055), Jul 7, 1969: Bell 47G-5 (N8556F), Union City, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA66A0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0122), Apr 21, 1966: Bell 47G-5 (N8556F), Mcbee, SC, 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.