# NTSB Accident FTW97LA264
> **Bell 47G-3B-1** · 1997-07-13 · CROSSETT, AR, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** FTW97LA264
- **Event ID:** 20001208X08378
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-07-13
- **Location:** CROSSETT, AR, USA
- **Coordinates:** 33.119609, -91.959625
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Bell
- **Model:** 47G-3B-1
- **Registration:** N83701
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAWN
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

failure of maintenance personnel to perform an adequate inspection of the fuselage center frame and detect a fatigue fracture of a longeron tube on the upper left side of the center frame, which resulted in a disconnect of the tail rotor drive shaft from the transmission, loss of yaw (anti-torque) control, and a subsequent hard (emergency) landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=FTW97LA264) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*