# NTSB LAX80FVM17: Bell 47D1, N78900, Salinas, CA, March 9, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 9, 1980
- Place: Salinas, CA · SALINAS, CA
- Location: 36.6902° N, 121.6338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salinas, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6902&lon=-121.6338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVM17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVM17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1466   80/3/9    SALINAS,CA          BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1100                    N78900              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 32, 12483 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 272 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SALINAS,CA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  313                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - LETTUCE                                   TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  640                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78900](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78900), registered now, S/N 480, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- 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

## 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 19800309005569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800309005569A), Mar 9, 1980: Bell 47D1, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Lost cyclic control on swath turn. Made hard landing. Broken horn rotor hub grip possible cause.

## Other investigations on N78900 (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 CEN13LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA396), Jun 28, 2013: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Lake Ozark, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper rebuild and maintenance of the helicopter and inadequate subsequent inspections, which resulted in undetected fuel contamination and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise…
- [NTSB LAX96FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA045), Nov 12, 1995: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Shafter, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot misjudged the altitude and ground clearance while performing an unwarranted low altitude flight maneuver.
- [NTSB OAK78FVM46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVM46), Sep 17, 1978: Bell 47D1 (N78900), Castroville, 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.

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