# NTSB LAX73FUA12: Bell 47J-2, N2097, Huntgtn Bch, CA, August 14, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 14, 1972
- Place: Huntgtn Bch, CA · HUNTGTN BCH, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73FUA12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUA12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1605  72/8/14    HUNTGTN BCH,CALIF   BELL 47J-2          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 330
        TIME - 1630                    N2097               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 29 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MEADOWLARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LONG BEACH,CALIF            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT HIT OIL WELL RIGGING PIPE AFTER T/R GEARS FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2097](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2097-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 2832, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- 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: Meadowlark

## Other investigations on N2097 (3)

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 LAX84FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA130), Jan 1, 1984: Bell 47J-2 (N2097), Kahuku, HI, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB LAX72FUA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUA02), Jul 7, 1971: Bell 47J-2 (N2097), Hntngtn Bch, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX70DUA17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70DUA17), Apr 1, 1970: Bell 47J-2 (N2097), Long Beach, 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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