# NTSB LAX83FA462: Bell 47G-4G, N7956S, Lodi, CA, September 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1983, 17:20 local (Sep 28, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.110874, -121.16053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1109&lon=-121.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA462
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA462

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AFTER CLIMBING APRX 20 FT. THE PLT MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, BUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER SLID DOWN A RIVER BANK, ROLLED OVER & BEGAN BURNING. THE FUEL TANKS DID NOT RUPTURE & STILL CONTAINED FUEL. WHEN FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM EACH TANK, EACH SAMPLE CONTAINED WATER & CONSIDERABLE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7956S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7956S-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 7551 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-4G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7551
- Airframe hours: 8649
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lodi Vintage Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1983, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 325 in this make and model, 449 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 17 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 19830927055499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830927055499A), Sep 27, 1983: Bell 47G4A, Lodi, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit 20 feet above ground on takeoff. Helicopter slid down a bank and rolled on landing. Water found in fuel

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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