# NTSB LAX65A0071: Bell 47G3B1, N73998, Bishop, CA, February 27, 1965

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 27, 1965
- Place: Bishop, CA · BISHOP, CA
- Location: 37.3672° N, 118.3989° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bishop, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3672&lon=-118.3989&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1965
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 179765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX65A0071
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX65A0071

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0077  65/2/27  NR.BISHOP CALIF       BELL 47G3B1         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0800                    N73998              PX-  0  0  2  BUSINESS                  AGE 45, 5154 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            15 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 STATIC: IDLING ROTORS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  12000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           20                                                      360
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           50                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT THAT EXCEEDED AIRCRAFT CLIMB CAPABILITY-IMPROPER SELECTION OF ROUTE OF FLIGH
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73998](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73998), registered now, S/N 2902, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N73998 (4)

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 CHI94T#A04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94T%23A04), Jun 10, 1994: Bell 47G3B1 (N73998), Medina, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI91DER13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER13), Aug 9, 1991: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N73998), Maple Grove, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE FORCED LANDING. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, LOSS OF ROTOR RPM, THE ERODED COMPRESSOR BLADES, THE…
- [NTSB DEN79FQA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FQA37), Jul 6, 1979: Bell 47G (N73998), Socorro, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76FAQ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FAQ06), Jul 23, 1975: Bell 47G3B1 (N73998), Belen, NM, substantial damage

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.

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