# NTSB SEA74AS030: Bell 47G-4A, N1396X, Wapato, WA, January 20, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 20, 1974
- Place: Wapato, WA · WAPATO, WA
- Location: 46.4436° N, 120.4215° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wapato, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4436&lon=-120.4215&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 3, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74AS030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS030

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0380  74/1/20    WAPATO,WASH         BELL 47G-4A         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 2360
        TIME - 0738                    N1396X              PX-  0  0  0  SEARCH AND RESCUE         TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          YAKIMA,WASH                 WHITE SWAN,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ENRT TO EVAC FLOOD VICTIMS.ACFT OBSERVED IN CONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL HITTING PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1396X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1396X), registered now, S/N 7570, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (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 19740120003369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740120003369A), Jan 20, 1974: Bell 47G4A, Wapato, WA, Destroyed. Enrt to evac flood victims. Acft observed in controlled descent until hitting pwr lines.

## Other investigations on N1396X (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN15LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA322), Jul 24, 2015: Bell 47G 4A (N1396X), Gilbert, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because the available fuel shifted within the tanks due to an abrupt nose-low maneuver to avoid an obstacle, which resulted in a hard forced…
- [NTSB ANC69A0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69A0027), Nov 4, 1968: Bell 47G-4A (N1396X), Kenai, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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