# NTSB SEA89TL006: Bell 47G-3B2, N46073, Cottonwood Canyon, NV, October 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1988, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood Canyon, NV
- Coordinates: 36.181343, -114.07835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1813&lon=-114.0784&mi=10
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89TL006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89TL006

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46073-2000-04-18), registration cancelled 2000-04-18, S/N 6797 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6797
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; 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

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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