# NTSB NYC77FA053: Bell 47G-4A, N472FW, Hartsdale, NY, April 22, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 22, 1977
- Place: Hartsdale, NY · HARTSDALE, NY
- Location: 41.0154° N, 73.8036° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hartsdale, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0154&lon=-73.8036&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC77FA053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FA053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3315  77/4/22    HARTSDALE,NY        BELL 47G-4A         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1700                    N472FW              PX-  0  1  0  POLICE PATROL             27, 2447 TOTAL HOURS, 515
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MANHATTAN,NY                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: OTHER
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED.BOLTS UNSEATED & TURNED ON PROP FLANGE.ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES INADEQUATE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N472FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N472FW-1978-02-03), registration cancelled 1978-02-03, S/N 7763, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (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 19770422037699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770422037699A), Apr 22, 1977: Bell 47G4A, Hartsdale, NY, Destroyed. Float equipped. Bolts unseated & turned on prop flange. Engine overhaul procedures inadequate.

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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