# NTSB LAX83FUA03: Bell 47G-5, N1375X, Irvine, CA, February 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1983, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Irvine, CA
- Location: 33.6695° N, 117.8231° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Irvine, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6695&lon=-117.8231&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): 23537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,ring - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD IN A FIELD OFF THE AIRPORT FOLLOWING AN ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE ACFR HAD LIFTED OFF AND ONLY TRAVELED ABOUT 50 FEET AT 15 FEET AGL WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE RINGS ON 3 CYLINDERS HAD NOT SEATED AND WERE LEAKING OIL INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. THE PLUGS IN THESE CYLINDERS WERE CARBON FOULED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1375X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1375X-2016-09-22), registration cancelled 2016-09-22, S/N 7840, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7840
- Airframe hours: 2509
- Engines: Lycoming L-3840-31 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Pacific Rotors, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 3, 1983, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830210004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830210004969A), Feb 10, 1983: Bell 47G5, Irvine, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during a spray run. Crash landed. Rings not seated in cylinders. Leaked oil into combustion area.

## Other investigations on N1375X (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 WPR11CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA339), Jul 20, 2011: Bell 47G-5 (N1375X), Watsonville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB LAX71FUJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUJ40), Oct 24, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N1375X), El Mirage, AZ, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX68A0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0003), Jul 10, 1967: Bell 47G-5 (N1375X), Casa Grande, AZ, 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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