- Date
- October 13, 1988, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place
- Cottonwood Canyon, NV
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Aircraft
- N46073Bell 47G-3B2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class
- Class 3
- Case key
- 41690
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Analysis
On a flight to monitor animal health of horses, the pilot was attempting to land to a suitable landing site. During final approach on the third attempt, the airspeed was about 5 mph and altitude about 15 feet AGL, when the helicopter started turning to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the situation, but the helicopter 'settled-in vertically' with sufficient force to damage the helicopter. The wind was reported to be from 180 to 225 degrees at 5 gusting 15 knots.
Factual narrative
See attached copy of NTSB form 6120.1/2 as required by pl 100-223. "Investigated by" data block was entered in error only to satisfy the computer entry requirements.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N46073
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-3B2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 6797
- Engine
- Lycoming TVO-435-G1A, 280 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- Unknown
- Flight
- Public aircraft · Public use
- Operator
- Bureau Of Land Management
- Registered owner
- High Desert Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- Cottonwood Cyn, NV
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 2,259 total · 300 in this make and model · 65 in the last 90 days · 59 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Temperature
- 55 °F