# NTSB LAX73FUD02: Bell 47G-5, N4798R, Santa Mnica, CA, July 21, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 21, 1972
- Place: Santa Mnica, CA · SANTA MNICA, CA
- Location: 34.0109° N, 118.4982° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Monica, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0109&lon=-118.4982&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73FUD02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUD02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2523  72/7/21    SANTA MNICA,CALIF   BELL 47G-5          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 1220
        TIME - 0100                    N4798R              PX-  0  0  1  POLICE PATROL             TOTAL HOURS, 1047 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SANTA MONICA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SANTA MNICA,CALIF           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - OPERATED CARELESSLY
        REMARKS- ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED OVERHANGING LIGHT STANDARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4798R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4798R), registered now, S/N 7925, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Santa Monica

## Other investigations on N4798R (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 LAX92LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA278), Jul 4, 1992: Bell 47G5 (N4798R), Mesa, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON (S). FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE 1) LOW ALTITUDE WHEN THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED 2) LOW ROTOR RPM AS A RESULT OF THE LOSS OF POWER, AND…
- [NTSB LAX90DVM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVM01), Nov 1, 1989: Bell 47G-5 (N4798R), Guadalupe, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH A WOODEN POWER POLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SUNGLARE WHICH INHIBITED THE PILOT'S VISION.

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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