# NTSB LAX70D0129: Bell 47D1, N153B, Shafter, CA, September 13, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 13, 1969
- Place: Shafter, CA · SHAFTER, CA
- Location: 35.5005° N, 119.2718° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shafter, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5005&lon=-119.2718&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX70D0129
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0129

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4194  69/9/13    SHAFTER,CALIF       BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 1286
        TIME - 0715                    N153B               PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 164 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WASCO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHAFTER,CALIF               SHAFTER,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- ATTEMPTED LDG TOO CLOSE TO EDGE OF BANK AROUND RESERVOIR.ROLLED INTO RESERVOIR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N153B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153B), registered now, S/N 7, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Wasco

## Other investigations on N153B (2)

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 CEN17LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA264), Jul 6, 2017: Bell 47D1 (N153B), Big Lake, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the metal core assembly within a wooden main rotor blade due to undetected corrosion and fatigue, which caused the wooden blade to separate from the rotor mast.
- [NTSB LAX72DVA60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DVA60), Apr 2, 1972: Bell 47G (N153B), Wasco, CA, destroyed

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.