Bell 47G4 accident near Corpus Christi, Texas, April 27, 1991
On April 27, 1991 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Bell 47G4 (helicopter), registered N1195W, was destroyed in an accident near Corpus Christi, Texas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE INITIAL RESTRICTED MOVEMENT AND EVENTUAL LOCKING OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE LATERAL SERVO. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 1991 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Corpus Christi, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G4 · all 47G4s on the register
- Registration
- N1195W · no longer on the register · serial 3348
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS MANEUVERING A HELICOPTER TO CONTROL A HERD OF CATTLE. THE PILOT NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT BINDING IN THE LEFT QUADRANT OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL. HE NOTIFIED HIS FLIGHT LEADER OF HIS INTENTIONS TO LAND AND INSPECT THE HYDRAULIC SERVOS IN THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, AND INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING CLOSE TO THEIR MAINTENANCE SUPPORT VEHICLE. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE HELICOPTER PITCHED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT REAR AS THE LATERAL CYCLIC CONTROL BECAME LOCKED. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL RIGHT PEDAL TO TRY TO CUSHION THE LANDING AND PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM ROLLING. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED UPON IMPACT WITH THE MESQUITE TREES. THE FAILED LATERAL SERVO HAD BEEN REPLACED BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,079 hours in all; 130 in this make and model; 106 in the last 90 days; 68 in the last 30 days; 2,079 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 900 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.