# NTSB LAX83FUM07: Bell 47G-5, N2252W, Valley Center, CA, June 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1983, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Valley Center, CA
- Coordinates: 33.250408, -116.980766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2504&lon=-116.9808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUM07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS WHILE ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION. THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH 25 GALLONS OF FUEL WHICH HE SAID WAS USUALLY ENOUGH FOR SPRAYING 40-50 ACRES. THIS JOB WAS 19 ACRES BUT IT WAS 10-12 MILES AWAY AT 1400 FT MSL. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED ONLY 1 PINT OFFUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE POWER LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. NO OTHER REASON FOR POWER LOSS WAS DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2252W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2252W-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 7966, built 1969 (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: 7966
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING 435-B1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael J. Markov
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1983, 90 hours before
- Departed: RANCHO, CA

## 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: right; flight hours: 5,726 total, 2,726 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830614025259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830614025259A), Jun 14, 1983: Bell 47G5, Valley Center, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during emergency landing when engine quit due to fuel exhaustion..

## Other investigations on N2252W (4)

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 LAX84LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA341), Jun 9, 1984: Bell 47G-5 (N2252W), Oceanside, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX78FUQ21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUQ21), Mar 27, 1978: Bell 47G (N2252W), Santa Ynez, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75FUQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUQ05), Jul 17, 1974: Bell 47G-5 (N2252W), Oceanside, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW70FPD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70FPD03), Jan 16, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N2252W), Saginaw, TX, 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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