# NTSB LAX84LA194: Bell 47-G4A, N9017N, Dixon, CA, February 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1984, 16:00 local (Feb 24, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, CA
- Coordinates: 38.390991, -121.810813 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3910&lon=-121.8108&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): 24181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA194

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT STATED THAT, 'THREE MINUTES INTO THE CROP DUSTING MISSION THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE SUSPECTED FUEL MISMANAGEMENT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9017N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9017N-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 7670, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4) (registry code 1181030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Sky Ag Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1984, 5,831 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,972 total, 743 in this make and model, 1,871 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19840223004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840223004939A), Feb 23, 1984: Bell 47G4A, Dixon, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed during attempted emergency landing during crop dusting operation.

## Other investigations on N9017N (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 LAX03LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA197), Jun 13, 2003: Bell 47-G4 (N9017N), Porterville, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: loss of control for undetermined reasons.

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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