# NTSB LAX81FVA38: Bell 47G-2, N1036Y, Orosi, CA, May 11, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 11, 1981
- Place: Orosi, CA · OROSI, CA
- Location: 36.5433° N, 119.2914° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Orosi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5433&lon=-119.2914&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA38
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA38

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1124  81/5/11    OROSI,CA            BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 3950
        TIME - 0800                    N1036Y              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 225 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OROSI,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3000                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - FRUIT ORCHARDS                            TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        REMARKS- THRUST BEARINGS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN TAIL ROTOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1036Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1036Y-1982-12-05), registration cancelled 1982-12-05, S/N 2228 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (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 19810511023259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810511023259A), May 11, 1981: Bell 47G2, Orosi, CA, Destroyed. Lost tail rotor control. Struck wires during landing sequence. Found tail rotor thrust bearing improperly installed

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.