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Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell 47G-3B-1

35 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 47G-3B-1. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

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Aircraft model

Cases per year

19642026

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Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181028', '118103A')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181028', '118103A'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181028', '118103A'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB CEN16LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 3B 1 · Portia, ARThe pilot's decision to perform a sliding takeoff from the elevated platform, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the right skid plate caught on a protruding screw. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately inspect the landing…May 13, 2016 · N48316 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13FA357Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Maplewood, MNThe loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.Jun 19, 2013 · N5024N · Destroyed NTSB NYC06FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · East Hanover Tw, PAThe pilot's improper decision to hover out-of-ground-effect in a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the tailwind.Apr 20, 2006 · N22MP · Destroyed NTSB SEA00FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Stanwood, WAThe disengagement of the oil jet fitting from its threaded receptacle at the forward end of the engine crankshaft. This resulted in excessive oil within the clutch assembly, the subsequent slipping of the clutch, and ultimately the disengagement of the rotor…Apr 2, 2000 · N3377H · Destroyed NTSB SEA97TA023Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Fillmore, UTinadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the seed bucket to become entangled with the right skid of the helicopter, resulting in an imbalance and loss of…Oct 29, 1996 · N3098G · Substantial damage NTSB NYC95LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Hammonton, NJfailure of the collective yoke bearing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: the manufacturer's inadequate inspection interval of the yoke bearing.Jul 10, 1995 · N48316 · Destroyed NTSB SEA91FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Goldendale, WAThe pilot's misjudgement of fuel supply.Jun 26, 1991 · N7859S · Substantial damage NTSB SEA86LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Burbank, WAThe helicopter had landed for reloading and was stationary with rotors idling. A ground loader person approached the helicopter over a small sandy knoll and was struck by the main rotor, sustaining fatal injury.Jul 23, 1986 · N1197W · Minor damage NTSB ATL84FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Pliny, WVThe helicopter was being used in the construction of elect transmission lines. A 150-FT longline cable had been utilizedon an earlier flight for lifting external loads. However, there was no reason for the longline to be attached on the accident flight as the…Oct 1, 1983 · N1334X · Destroyed NTSB DEN82FTC09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-3B-L · Kaycee, WYThe pilot was having cooling fan problems, some blades had broken. He landed in a canyon stayed overnight to cool engine and planned to fly to top of the canyon to get repairs. After takeoff, the helicopter had climbed almost level with the top of the canyon…Aug 8, 1982 · N8529F · Destroyed NTSB NYC82FGM11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Kittanning, PAThe helicopter was on a powerline patrol flight with three occupants on board. While proceeding along the powerline with a tailwind, the pilot started to climb over a hill. He stated to the passengers that he was unable to out climb the hill, then circled to…Jun 15, 1982 · N9276Z · Destroyed NTSB SEA80FA018Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Jefferson, ORJan 30, 1980 · N73285 · Destroyed NTSB DEN80FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedSoloy 47G · Ruidoso, NMOct 23, 1979 · N7828S · Destroyed NTSB LAX78FA074Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-3B · Pasadena, CASep 3, 1978 · N1135W · Destroyed NTSB DEN76AD068Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Alma, COAug 23, 1976 · N1338X · Destroyed NTSB ANC76AA112Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Petersburg, AKJul 17, 1976 · N7901S · Destroyed NTSB DEN76AD052Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Somerset, COJun 10, 1976 · N7894S · Destroyed NTSB LAX75AL057Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Superior, AZApr 22, 1975 · N1381X · Destroyed NTSB DEN75AD009Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Ogden, UTSep 5, 1974 · N73972 · Destroyed NTSB SEA73FYG13Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47-G2A · Selah, WASep 23, 1972 · N73284 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX73AL009Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Tuba City, AZAug 30, 1972 · N73991 · Destroyed NTSB DEN73FTM01Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Ogden, UTJul 11, 1972 · N7927S · Destroyed NTSB LAX71AL033Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Rim Forest, CADec 1, 1970 · N1126W · Destroyed NTSB OAK70F0212Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Hamiltn Afb, CADec 30, 1969 · N1320X · Substantial damage NTSB LAX70A0008Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Grnd Canyon, AZJul 30, 1969 · N73909 · Destroyed NTSB CAN70A4457Accident · 3 fatalClosedSchweizer SGS126 · Hope, CanadaJul 26, 1969 · CF-VEQ · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB NYC69F0178Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Sipesville, PAAug 5, 1968 · N73247 · Destroyed NTSB SEA69A0008Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · North Fork, IDJul 23, 1968 · N8537F · Destroyed NTSB SEA68A0010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Rufus, ORJul 30, 1967 · N8518F · Destroyed NTSB UNK67X0100Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Janakpur, NepalOct 5, 1966 · N73973 · Destroyed NTSB SEA67A0027Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · W.Yellowston, MTSep 21, 1966 · N1169W · Destroyed NTSB UNK66X0166Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-3B · Rahgird, IranAug 23, 1966 · N8547F · Destroyed NTSB DEN66A0074Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-3B · Grand Canyon, AZApr 12, 1966 · N73909 · Destroyed NTSB DEN66A0023Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Monticello, UTSep 28, 1965 · N1127W · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X0473Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Little Nway, CAFeb 5, 1964 · N73909 · Destroyed