Bell 47G accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, January 2, 2003
On January 2, 2003 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Bell 47G (helicopter), registered N4759R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
In-flight loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 2003 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Idaho Falls, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G · all 47Gs on the register
- Registration
- N4759R · registry record · serial 6728
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration, at 5,100 feet MSL and 80 MPH, the helicopter experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby alfalfa field. During the landing, the main rotor blades made contact with the tail boom assembly, severing the top two tubes just aft of the last hangar bearing. Visual inspection of the helicopter's engine and associated components revealed no evidence of atypical wear or component failure. Following the visual inspection, the operator conducted an engine run. The engine was started and ran at various power settings for approximately 10 minutes. No power surges or anomalies were noted during test run.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 19,000 hours in all; 18,900 in this make and model; 18,850 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 9, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,053 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 3, 2002; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison C20 B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IDA Idaho Falls ID at 3:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 21°F (-6°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KIDA, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.