# NTSB LAX78FUA09: Bell 47G-2, N9763Z, San Pedro, CA, January 20, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 20, 1978
- Place: San Pedro, CA · SAN PEDRO, CA
- Location: 33.7359° N, 118.2923° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Pedro, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7359&lon=-118.2923&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FUA09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUA09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0096  78/1/20    SAN PEDRO,CA        BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 2414
        TIME - 1230                    N9763Z              PX-  0  0  1  DEMONSTRATION             TOTAL HOURS, 2100 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CATALINA TERMINAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN PEDRO,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUNNING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9763Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9763Z-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 29 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (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: Catalina Terminal

## 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 19780120000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780120000609A), Jan 20, 1978: Bell 47G2, San Pedro, CA, Substantial damage. Float equipped.

## Other investigations on N9763Z (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 LAX00LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA124), Mar 12, 2000: Bell 47G (N9763Z), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to see wires and maintain clearance while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX81FUQ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUQ25), Jul 5, 1981: Bell 47G-2 (N9763Z), Agua Dulce, 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.

---
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.