# NTSB LAX75FUQ07: Bell 47J-2A, N8550F, Somis, CA, September 6, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 6, 1974
- Place: Somis, CA · SOMIS, CA
- Location: 34.2653° N, 118.9984° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somis, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2653&lon=-118.9984&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX75FUQ07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUQ07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2561   74/9/6  NR.SOMIS,CALIF        BELL 47J-2A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 5043
        TIME - 1340                    N8550F              PX-  0  1  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 3800 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SOMIS,CALIF                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      85
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          292                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- HOVERING 150AGL.TKOFF,TRNED DWNWND.GUSTS TO 18K.SETTLED WITH PWR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8550F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8550F-1974-10-11), registration cancelled 1974-10-11, S/N 3707 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2a) (registry code 1181106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19740906028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740906028489A), Sep 6, 1974: Bell 47J2A, Somis, CA, Destroyed. Hovering 150AGL.tkoff,trned dwnwnd. Gusts to 18K.settled with pwr.

## Other investigations on N8550F (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 LAX69F0313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0313), Mar 31, 1969: Bell 47J-2A (N8550F), Los Angeles, 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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