Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Idaho City, Idaho, June 11, 1985
On June 11, 1985 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 (helicopter), registered N1333X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Idaho City, Idaho (None airport). It was an instructional 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 1985 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Idaho City, Idaho · None · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B-1 · all 47G-3B-1s on the register
- Registration
- N1333X · registry record · serial 6554
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER THE SUPERCHARGER FAILED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE & RPM; HE SUBSEQUENTLY MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A HEAVILY TIMBERED, MOUNTAINOUS AREA.
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: student
- Flight time: 93 hours in all; 93 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 50 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,995 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 24, 1985; 93 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYC Mccall ID at 8:45 pm
- Destination: U98 Idaho City ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.