# NTSB SEA74FYG08: Bell 47J-2A, N8439E, Inchelium, WA, August 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 8, 1973
- Place: Inchelium, WA · INCHELIUM, WA
- Location: 48.3637° N, 118.2456° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Inchelium, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3637&lon=-118.2456&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74FYG08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FYG08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3829   73/8/8    INCHELIUM,WASH      BELL 47J-2A         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 41, 1920
        TIME - 1925                    N8439E              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC FIRE CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 40 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPOKANE,WASH                INCHELIUM,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- LDG APPROACH TO CONFINED AREA AT DUSK.WIRES NOT MARKED.PLT HADNT LND AT SITE FOR ABT 2 YRS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8439E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8439E-1973-10-03), registration cancelled 1973-10-03, S/N 1818 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (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 19730808025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730808025689A), Aug 8, 1973: Bell 47G3B1, Inchelium, WA, Destroyed. Ldg approach to confined area at dusk. Wires not marked. Plt hadnt lnd at site for abt 2 yrs.

## Other investigations on N8439E (1)

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 UNK64X0973](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0973), Mar 18, 1964: Bell 47J2 (N8439E), Sedalia, MO, 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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