# NTSB LAX78FA074: Bell 47G-3B, N1135W, Pasadena, CA, September 3, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 3, 1978
- Place: Pasadena, CA · PASADENA, CA
- Location: 34.1606° N, 118.1380° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pasadena, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1606&lon=-118.1380&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA074
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA074-139414

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3926   78/9/3    PASADENA,CA         BELL 47G-3B         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 56, 875
        TIME - 2315                    N1135W              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 225 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAKE ELSINORE,CA            BURBANK,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - MISCELLANEOUS UNITS AND ASSEMBLIES: DUAL TACHOMETER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- REAR BEARING,P/N ND77038,OF ENG TACH GEN,P/N AN 5531-1,S/N 18747,SEIZED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1135W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1135W-1981-06-06), registration cancelled 1981-06-06, S/N 2932 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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 19780903043389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780903043389A), Sep 3, 1978: Bell 47G3B1, Pasadena, CA, Destroyed. Rear bearing,p/n ND77038,of eng tach gen,p/n an 5531-1,s/n 18747,ed.

## Other investigations on N1135W (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 DEN75FTE21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75FTE21), Sep 6, 1974: Bell 47G3B1 (N1135W), Grand Valley, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA74DYG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG44), Jun 4, 1974: Bell 47G3B1 (N1135W), Stratford, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB DEN66A0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0020), Sep 9, 1965: Bell 47G3B1 (N1135W), Commerce Cty, CO, 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.

---
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.
