# NTSB LAX77FUA06: Bell 47D-1, N74120, Long Beach, CA, February 23, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 23, 1977
- Place: Long Beach, CA · LONG BEACH, CA
- Location: 33.7670° N, 118.1892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Long Beach, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7670&lon=-118.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUA06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUA06-201381

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0752  77/2/23    LONG BEACH,CA       BELL 47D-1          CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 4110
        TIME - 1008                    N74120              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL ADVERTISING        TOTAL HOURS, 113 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LONG BEACH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LONG BEACH,CA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 32 OUNCES OF FUEL DRAINED OUT OF FUEL TANKS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74120](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74120), registered now, S/N WH5005, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Long Beach

## 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 19770223008789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770223008789A), Feb 23, 1977: Bell 47D1, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. 32 Ounces of fuel drained out of fuel tanks.

## Other investigations on N74120 (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 NYC03LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA069), Mar 23, 2003: Bell 47D (N74120), Princetown, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student's failure to maintain control while executing a takeoff to a hover, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor in the accident was the muddy ground.

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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