# NTSB LAX84LA318: Bell 47G-2, N94218, Woodland, CA, May 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1984, 10:07 local (17:07 UTC)
- Place: Woodland, CA
- Coordinates: 38.7093, -121.849449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7093&lon=-121.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A LOCAL WHIRLWIND DURING A 90/270 AG MANEUVER & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N94218 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 178
- Airframe hours: 10150
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kings River Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 19,439 total, 280 in this make and model, 19,400 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 12 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 19840528019279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840528019279A), May 28, 1984: Bell 47G2, Woodland, CA, Destroyed. Pilot reports helicopter encountered a thermal whirlwind on turn around. May have had a settling with power factor.

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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