# NTSB SEA77DTI07: Bell 47G3B1, N73987, Ennis, MT, January 24, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 24, 1977
- Place: Ennis, MT · ENNIS, MT
- Location: 45.3461° N, 111.7321° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ennis, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3461&lon=-111.7321&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA77DTI07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DTI07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0200  77/1/24  NR.ENNIS,MT           BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0815                    N73987              PX-  0  0  1  HUNTING                   AGE 41, 3997 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            243 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ENNIS,MT                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           WEATHER - LOCAL WHIRLWIND
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      18
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          OTHER
        REMARKS- COYOTE HUNT.ENCOUNTERED WHIRLWIND IN 20FT HOVER,SETTLED WITH POWER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73987 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- 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 19770124001339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770124001339A), Jan 24, 1977: Bell 47B3, Ennis, MT, Substantial damage. Coyote hunt. Encountered whirlwind in 20FT hover,settled with power.

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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