# NTSB LAX80DUJ43: Bell 47G5, N2127, Somerton, AZ, March 3, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 3, 1980
- Place: Somerton, AZ · SOMERTON, AZ
- Location: 32.6018° N, 114.6963° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerton, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6018&lon=-114.6963&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 16, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUJ43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1841   80/3/3  NR.SOMERTON,AZ        BELL 47G5           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 2686
        TIME - 2100                    N2127               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 73 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DUSTER PAD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SOMERTON,AZ                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: GENERATORS/ALTERNATORS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ELECTRICAL FAILURE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   23                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  100                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- BROCCOLI.WOODRUFF KEY,SPLINED DRIVE COUPLING TO ROTOR SHAFT,FAILED.NIGHT AG OPS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2127](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2127-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 7826, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (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: Destroyed
- Airport: Duster Pad

## 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 19800303009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800303009149A), Mar 3, 1980: Bell 47G5, Somerton, AZ, Destroyed. Lights wnet out on night spray run. Rotors hit wires. Found alternator shaft frozen due to overload.

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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