Piston helicopter

N73953

1963 Bell 47G-2A-1

Registered 1 NTSB/FAA record
Built
1963
Serial
2866
Class
Piston helicopter
Engines
Lycoming VO-540 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Ritel Copter Service Inc (Corporation)
Based
Hudson, IA
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Registration record

N73953 on the FAA register

Type
1963 Bell 47G-2A-1
Serial
2866
Engines
Lycoming VO-540 series
Registered owner
Ritel Copter Service Inc
Hudson, IA
Certificate issued
2022-08-30
Airworthiness date
1980-04-23
Registration expires
2029-08-31
Airworthiness class
Multiple
Mode S (hex)
A9EF9D
Mode S (octal)
52367635
Seats (type)
3
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
214 nm
Cruise (type)
73 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-08-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2022-08-30
    Certificate of registration issued as N73953.
  • 1980-04-23
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (multiple category).
  • 1971-05-18
    Accident at Berlin,Nj, 30; damage: substantial.
  • 1963
    Manufactured (1963).
Overview

About N73953

N73953 is a 1963 Bell 47G-2A-1, serial number 2866. The FAA register lists Ritel Copter Service Inc as the registrant in Hudson, Iowa. The current certificate of registration was issued on August 30, 2022 and expires on August 31, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a piston helicopter, one Lycoming VO-540 series engine and 3 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 73 knots and a range of about 214 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is multiple category, dated April 23, 1980.

N73953 has 1 accident/incident record on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
73 kt
Range
214 nm
Fuel burn
7 gph

Published figures for the Bell 47G-2A-1 type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

1971-05-18 Accident · Berlin,Nj, 30 Damage: Substantial NTSB · 3 1623
Reported aircraft: Bell 47G2A1
Probable cause: RD,HIT TAIL LOW,M/R BLD HIT GRD,CUT TAIL OFF.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.