# NTSB LAX71AL033: Bell 47G3B1, N1126W, Rim Forest, CA, December 1, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 1, 1970
- Place: Rim Forest, CA · RIM FOREST, CA
- Location: 34.2297° N, 117.2250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rimforest, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2297&lon=-117.2250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 159376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX71AL033
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71AL033

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1772   70/12/1 NR.RIM FOREST,CALIF   BELL 47G3B1         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1440                    N1126W              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  AGE 35, 3109 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1747 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HEAPS PEAK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         RIM FOREST,CALIF             VAN NUYS,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  50
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       30
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          200                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUST 30K.RECOVERY DATE 12/3/70.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1126W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1126W-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 2918, 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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Heaps Peak

## Other investigations on N1126W (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 LAX70F0070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70F0070-201453), Jul 5, 1969: Bell 47G3B1 (N1126W), Siera Madre, CA, 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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