# NTSB LAX83FA366: Bell 47G-3B-1, N11102, S. Lake Tahoe, CA, July 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1983, 09:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: S. Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA366

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF OVER DESCENDING TERRAIN IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA, THE RPM BEGAN DECAYING WHEN THE HELICOPTER HAD ACCELERATED TO 40 KTS & WAS ABOUT 75 FT AGL. THE PLT APPLIED MORE THROTTLE & INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE, THEN NOTED THAT THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE WAS DECREASING & THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECAY. THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE GROUND, ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE & CAME TO REST INVERTED. AN EXAM REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 8100 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11102](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11102), registered now, S/N 3351, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3351
- Airframe hours: 9735
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-G1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Pine Belt Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 27, 1983, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,127 total, 830 in this make and model, 2,638 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 16 nm away

## 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 19830731036789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830731036789A), Jul 31, 1983: Bell 47G3B1, South Lake Taho, CA, Destroyed. Pilot said power loss occurred after lift off causing crash. Density altitude was 8100 feet.

## Other investigations on N11102 (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 LAX80DXQ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DXQ11), Nov 24, 1979: Bell 47G3B1 (N11102), Mina, NV, 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.

---
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.