# Accident 19951112036359A: Bell 47D1, Shafter, CA, November 12, 1995

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 12, 1995, 11:30 local time
- Place: Shafter, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Unknown/Not Reported
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: OGKG
- Location: 35.4898° N, 119.3009° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4898&lon=-119.3009&mi=10
- Aircraft: N78900, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78900) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47D1 (registry code 1180802, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6V4 series (registry code 27033, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Reported engine: LYC VO435A1A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX96FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA045) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951112036359A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DEPARTED TO SPRAY WATER OVER TREES TO RINSE SYSTEM. CRASHED AND BURNED. HAD UNAUTHORIZED PASSENGER ON BOARD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX96FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA045), Nov 12, 1995: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Shafter, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot misjudged the altitude and ground clearance while performing an unwarranted low altitude flight maneuver.

## Other reports on N78900 (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20130628013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130628013159A), Jun 28, 2013: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Lake Ozark, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that during cruise flight at 1500 MSL the engine sputtered. In response he rolled the throttle on and the engine came back on, then seconds later…
- [Accident 19800309005569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800309005569A), Mar 9, 1980: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Lost cyclic control on swath turn. Made hard landing. Broken horn rotor hub grip possible cause.
- [Accident 19780917028729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780917028729A), Sep 17, 1978: Bell 47B3 (N78900), Castroville, CA, Substantial damage. Collective pitch became uncontrollable. Main rotor shaft and retai nut scuffed and out of round

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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