Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Denio, Nevada, April 11, 2008
On April 11, 2008 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N24SD, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Denio, Nevada. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadvertent hard landing induced by a perceived loss of power and a main transmission anomaly while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2008 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Denio, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N24SD · registry record · serial 3671
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After the passenger shot a coyote during the predator control flight, the helicopter pilot circled the injured coyote. While maneuvering at 15 miles per hour and about 20 feet above the hilly terrain, the pilot heard a grinding noise, which he opined originated from the transmission. The pilot believed the helicopter was losing power, and he opted to immediately land on sloping terrain. The helicopter touched down hard, the main rotors severed the tail boom, and the helicopter rolled over. During the subsequent examination of the airframe, transmission, and engine, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction was found. One of the two cooling fan drive belts was not found seated, and may have rolled over on its pulley, producing the noise that the pilot may have misinterpreted as relating to a loss of power.
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
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › (general) › (general) › Flight crew
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,153 hours in all; 2,746 in this make and model; 67 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 4,081 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 10, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,476 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 27, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Helicopter Roundup Service, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Denio NV at 2:00 pm
- Destination: NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N24SD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.