# NTSB LAX82DA135: Bell 47G-2, N2879B, Stockton, CA, April 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1982, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.899036, -121.400749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8990&lon=-121.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA135

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED TO PICK UP A FLAGGER AND TAKE HIM TO THE END OF THE FIELD.  THE LANDING WAS MADE FACING NORTH ON A NORTH-SOUTH DRIVEWAY. AN OVERHEAD LINE WAS LOCATED ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY. DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MOVED LATERALLY TO THE WEST, AND THEN TURNED THE HELICOPTER TO TAKEOFF. HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WOULD BE CLEAR OF THE OVERHEAD LINE; HOWEVER, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE WIRE AND FAILED. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT INITIATED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION.  DURING TOUCHDOWN, A SKID FAILED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS STILL SPINNING AND MOVING ACROSS THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEMOLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2879B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2879B-2012-02-15), registration cancelled 2012-02-15, S/N 1692, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1692
- Airframe hours: 6781
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Valley Helicopters
- Registered owner: Valley Helicopters
- Departed: STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: STOCKTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,074 total, 1,038 in this make and model, 238 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 108 °F

## 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 19820415009499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415009499A), Apr 15, 1982: Bell 47G, Stockton, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter hit wires with tail rotor as pilot attempted takeoff from farm field after picking up flagger.

## Other investigations on N2879B (2)

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 LAX76FUQQ5](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUQQ5), Aug 4, 1975: Bell 47G-2 (N2879B), Valencia, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX73DUQ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUQ04-168797), Aug 6, 1972: Bell 47G-2 (N2879B), Sylmar, 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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