# NTSB LAX84LA366: Bell 47G-2, N953, Concord, CA, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1984, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 38.000972, -122.029846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0010&lon=-122.0298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA366

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
- Other gear collapsed, other
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A PLT/OPERATOR STATEMENT, THE STUDENT PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A DOWNWIND APCH TO LAND ON 'PAD 3.' THE STUDENT STATED THAT THE APCH WAS NORMAL UNTIL HE SLOWED TO 40 MPH & 'MADE LEFT TURN TO FINAL APPROACH INTO A CROSS WIND.' DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APCH, THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH ATC TO REQUEST A TURN INTO THE WIND. DURING THE DISCUSSION, THE STUDENT BECAME DISTRACTED. HE ALLOW THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SETTLING WITH POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE & THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO ROTATE & THE GEAR (SKID) SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N953](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N953-1998-01-02), registration cancelled 1998-01-02, S/N 1398 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1389
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A18 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Barry Lloyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CCR, Buchanan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 71 total, 39 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR, 1 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 19840625032879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840625032879A), Jun 25, 1984: Bell 47G2, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Entered settling with power while making low speed approach in a crosswind. ATC gave student downwind landing.

## Other investigations on N953 (2)

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 LAX81FVD24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVD24), May 11, 1981: Bell 47G-2 (N953), Oakland, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC70A0022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70A0022), Aug 25, 1969: Bell 47G-2 (N953), Point Barrow, AK, 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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