# NTSB LAX81FVM21: Bell 47G-5A, N2994W, Soledad, CA, May 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1981
- Place: Soledad, CA · SOLEDAD, CA
- Location: 36.4345° N, 121.3178° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Soledad, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4345&lon=-121.3178&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 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVM21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVM21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1217   81/5/3    SOLEDAD,CA          BELL 47G-5A         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0845                    N2994W              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 43, 12000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 4000 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SOLEDAD,CA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: ROLL-ON/RUN-ON
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SCORED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 6000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - LETTUCE                                   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 - INSTALLED                             TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED               PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- SPRAYING PHOSDRIN-DIPEL.HEAT DISCOLORATION,GROOVES,& SCORING FD ON CLUTCH DRUM & SHOES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2994W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2994W-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 25075 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (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 19810503022249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810503022249A), May 3, 1981: Bell 47G5A, Soledad, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter developed yaw on pull up from swath run. Crash landed. Found score and heat discolored clutch.

## Other investigations on N2994W (1)

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 FTW74FRD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FRD18), Nov 8, 1973: Bell 47G-5A (N2994W), Belle Chasse, LA, destroyed

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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