# NTSB SEA97LA191: Bell 47G, N9571, Wellpinit, WA, August 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1997, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Wellpinit, WA - Coordinates: 47.890895, -117.990211 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8909&lon=-117.9902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42676/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing. ## Analysis As the pilot was landing the helicopter on a gravel bar on a bank of the Spokane River, a main rotor blade contacted the bank. The helicopter dropped and tumbled onto the rocks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to records kept by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was operating a restricted-category aircraft on a personal flight. Also, the pilot's FAA Third Class Medical Certificate had expired about 8 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1997, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, N9571, a Bell 47G helicopter, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted terrain and was substantially damaged during landing near Wellpinit, Washington. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs who arrived at the accident site, no mechanical malfunctions were reported. The officer stated that the pilot was attempting to land on a gravel bar on a bank of the Spokane River. During the landing, a main rotor blade contacted the ground and the helicopter tumbled onto the rocks. In a written statement to the Safety Board (attached), the pilot stated: "I flew to the lake and circled the landing area once. I then came in from over the water and intended to land on the beach. As I was landing on the beach, the [main rotor] blade struck the bank to the left of the helicopter. I then dropped the last 2 or 3 feet to the beach." The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to records kept by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was operating a restricted-category aircraft on the personal flight. Also, the pilot's FAA Third Class Medical Certificate had expired about 8 months prior to the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, landing ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9571](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9571-2026-04-09), registration cancelled 2026-04-09, S/N 7504 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7504 - Airframe hours: 6500 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bingham, Larry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1995, 150 hours before - Departed: SELAH, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19970817025889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970817025889A), Aug 17, 1997: Bell 47G4A, Wellpinit, WA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 17, 1997, about 1420 pacific daylight time, N9571, a Bell 47G helicopter, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted terrain and was substantially… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.