# NTSB SEA74DYA12: Bell 47G-3B, N73909, New Meadows, ID, October 2, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 2, 1973
- Place: New Meadows, ID · NEW MEADOWS, ID
- Location: 44.9713° N, 116.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Meadows, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9713&lon=-116.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74DYA12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYA12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3244   73/10/2   NEW MEADOWS,ID      BELL 47G-3B         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 3515
        TIME - 0830                    N73909              PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              TOTAL HOURS, 70 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COUNCIL,ID                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
          PILOT IN COMMAND - ALLOWED CABLE TO STRIKE T/R
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TOWING CABLE W EXT HOOK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73909](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73909), registered now, S/N 2797, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (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 19731002030999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731002030999A), Oct 2, 1973: Bell 47G3B1, New Meadows, ID, Destroyed. Towing cable w ext hook. Pilot in command - allowed cable to strike t/r

## Other investigations on N73909 (6)

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 SEA04LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA114), Jun 23, 2004: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73909), Medford, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering. Trees were a factor.
- [NTSB SEA94LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA065), Feb 24, 1994: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73909), Gold Hill, OR, destroyed. Probable cause: SEPARATION OF THE CROSSOVER FUEL LINE, AND THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
- [NTSB LAX70A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70A0008), Jul 30, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 3 fatal
- [NTSB LAX69D0357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0357), May 21, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Grnd Canyon, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN66A0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0074), Apr 12, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N73909), Grand Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB UNK64X0473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0473), Feb 5, 1964: Bell 47G3B1 (N73909), Little Nway, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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