# NTSB LAX71FVQ74: Bell 47J2, N73921, Sta Barbara, CA, April 10, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 10, 1971
- Place: Sta Barbara, CA · STA BARBARA, CA
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 161039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX71FVQ74
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FVQ74

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1209  71/4/10    STA BARBARA,CALIF   BELL 47J2           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 50, 9885
        TIME - 1528                    N73921              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 4771 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SANTA BARBARA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STA BARBARA,CALIF           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- FATIGUE CRACK CAUSED BLD FAILURE AT 350 HRS OF OPERATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73921](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73921-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 2621, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Santa Barbara

## Other investigations on N73921 (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 LAX70A0031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70A0031), Nov 21, 1969: Bell 47J (N73921), Goleta, 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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