# NTSB NYC79DHA13: Bell 47G, N73979, Weatherly, PA, May 6, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 6, 1979
- Place: Weatherly, PA · WEATHERLY, PA
- Location: 40.9420° N, 75.8209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Weatherly, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9420&lon=-75.8209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC79DHA13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79DHA13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0682   79/5/6    WEATHERLY,PA        BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1145                    N73979              PX-  0  1  1  FIRE CONTROL              AGE 32, 2147 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            210 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WEATHERLY,PA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- DURING FIRE PATROL OPERATIONS HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED CABLE AND CRASHED IN RIVER
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73979](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73979-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 2875, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a-1) (registry code 1181014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, 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 19790506007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790506007299A), May 6, 1979: Bell 47G, Weatherly, PA, Destroyed. Helicopter struck powerlines during low level surveillance.

## Other investigations on N73979 (3)

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 MIA04FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04FA008), Oct 21, 2003: Bell 47G-2A-1 (N73979), Balm, FL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's intentional buzzing and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a building.
- [NTSB CHI73FEK07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEK07), Oct 2, 1972: Bell 47G-4 (N73979), Cambridge, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW70DPD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70DPD12), May 21, 1970: Bell 47G4 (N73979), Stamford, TX, 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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