# NTSB LAX76AL028: Bell 47G3B2, N7977J, Ventura, CA, October 25, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 25, 1975
- Place: Ventura, CA · VENTURA, CA
- Location: 34.2678° N, 119.2542° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2678&lon=-119.2542&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76AL028
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76AL028

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3725  75/10/25   VENTURA,CA          BELL 47G3B2         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1515                    N7977J              PX-  0  0  0  POLICE PATROL             35, 5770 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1045 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VENTURA MARINA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SIMI,CA                     VENTURA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PWR LINES OVR RIVER BED DIFFICULT TO SEE. PLT FAMILIAR WITH AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7977J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7977J-1976-02-10), registration cancelled 1976-02-10, S/N 6818 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ventura Marina

## 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 19751025040039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751025040039A), Oct 25, 1975: Bell 47G3B2, Ventura, CA, Destroyed. Pwr lines ovr river bed difficult to see. Plt familiar with area.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.