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NTSB Report
August 4, 1982 · Bell Helicopter Textron 47G3B1 · N23DW
Buena Vista, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Buena Vista, CO
Aircraft
Bell Helicopter Textron 47G3B1
Tail Number
N23DW
Operator
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN82DA155
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TRACK WILD SHEEP WITH TRANSMITTERS ATTACHED TO THEIR NECKS. WHILE MANEUVERING AT APPROXIMATELY 14,000 FEET ELEVATION AND EXECUTING A RIGHT TURN THE AIRCRAFT FELT "RUBBERY." HE APPLIED LEFT CYCLIC BUT THE LEFT SKID HIT A LARGE ROCK OUTCROPPING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000 FEET AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT A WEIGHT OF 2421 LBS. THIS COMBINATION REACHES THE LIMITS OF PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY FOR THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TRACK WILD SHEEP WITH TRANSMITTERS ATTACHED TO THEIR NECKS. WHILE MANEUVERING AT APPROXIMATELY 14,000 FEET ELEVATION AND EXECUTING A RIGHT TURN THE AIRCRAFT FELT "RUBBERY." HE APPLIED LEFT CYCLIC BUT THE LEFT SKID HIT A LARGE ROCK OUTCROPPING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000 FEET AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT A WEIGHT OF 2421 LBS. THIS COMBINATION REACHES THE LIMITS OF PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY FOR THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBell Helicopter Textron 47G3B1
Tail NumberN23DW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorColorado Division of Wildlife
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 270
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time09:45