# NTSB LAX81FVG21: Bell 47D1, N12512, Chico, CA, February 28, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 28, 1981
- Place: Chico, CA · CHICO, CA
- Location: 39.7285° N, 121.8375° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chico, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7285&lon=-121.8375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVG21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1126  81/2/28    CHICO,CA            BELL 47D1           CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1302                    N12512              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      59, 12245 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            500 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RANCHAERO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHICO,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12512-1998-04-10), registration cancelled 1998-04-10, S/N 6238 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47D1
- Registry model: [Bell 47D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47d1) (registry code 1180802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ranchaero

## 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 19810228006209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810228006209A), Feb 28, 1981: Bell 47D1, Chico, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on base for landing. Made hard autorotation landing. No engine defects. Carb heat inlet clogged.

## Other investigations on N12512 (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 LAX80FVG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVG22), Mar 23, 1980: Bell 47D1 (N12512), Chico, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX69F0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0027), Jun 21, 1968: Bell 47D1 (N12512), Crona D Mar, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67A0105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0105), Apr 24, 1967: Bell 47D1 (N12512), Irving, TX, 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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