# NTSB LAX84LA104: Bell 47H-1, N42403, Paradise, CA, December 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1983, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Coordinates: 39.739299, -121.610572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7393&lon=-121.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA104

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF NEAR THE NORTH END OF RWY 17 WHILE ON AN EASTENLY HEADING. AFTER LIFT-OFF, IT TURNED RIGHT, AS IF TO PROCEED DOWN THE RWY. AFTER RISING TO ABOUT 5 FT AGL, IT SETTLED & CONTACTED THE RWY, ROSE AGAIN, THEN TILTED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK 2 PARKED ACFT, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE PLT WAS THROWN FROM THE ACFT, BUT THE FIRE SPREAD IN HIS DIRECTION & HE WAS BURNED. AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, AND REPORTEDLY, HE COULD NOT REMEMBER THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42403](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42403-1983-12-13), registration cancelled 1983-12-13, S/N 1534 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47H-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47H-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47h-1) (registry code 1181011) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1534
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V4-200-C32 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bryan Allen Elhardt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: Q88, Paradise, runway 17, 2,000 × 21 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 566 total, 85 in this make and model, 461 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °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 19831213070059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831213070059A), Dec 13, 1983: Bell 47H1, Paradise, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter pilot lost directional control during lift off and collided with 2 parked aircraft.

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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