# NTSB NYC78FA078: Bell 47G4A, N473FW, New Rochelle, NY, August 11, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 11, 1978
- Place: New Rochelle, NY · NEW ROCHELLE, NY
- Location: 40.9232° N, 73.7793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Rochelle, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9232&lon=-73.7793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FA078
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA078

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2356  78/8/11    NEW ROCHELLE,NY     BELL 47G4A          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 1122
        TIME - 1745                    N473FW              PX-  0  0  1  POLICE PATROL             TOTAL HOURS, 285 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NEW YORK CITY,NY            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             IN FLIGHT: POWER-ON DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO INITIATE GO-AROUND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- PILOT SUSPECTED MALFUNCTION IN FLT.DURING APPROACH TO LDG GOT INTO SETTLING WITH POWER.TALL GRASS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N473FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N473FW-1979-02-09), registration cancelled 1979-02-09, S/N 7764 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (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 19780811029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780811029249A), Aug 11, 1978: Bell 47B3, New Rochelle, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot suspected malfunction in flt. During approach to ldg got intttling with power. Tall grass.

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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