# NTSB LAX84LA424: Bell 47G-5A, N4099G, Winterhaven, CA, August 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1984, 05:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Winterhaven, CA
- Coordinates: 32.870712, -114.720443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8707&lon=-114.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA424
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA424

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 60 GALLONS OF PESTICIDE A TAKEOFF WAS BEGUN. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND TRAVELED ABOUT 300 FT WHEN THE PLT INADVERTANTLY ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECAY AND THE ACFT DESCENDED. PRIOR TO IMPACT THE PLT TRIED TO REGAIN RPM BUT WAS UNABLE TO BEFORE THE LEFT SKID DUG INTO THE SOFT SOIL THE ACFT PITCHED FORWARD AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4099G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4099G-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 7909, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7909
- Airframe hours: 3455
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Rio Verde Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1984, 67 hours before
- Departed: WINTERHAVEN, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,770 total, 650 in this make and model, 9,150 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840801036639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840801036639A), Aug 1, 1984: Bell 47G5A, Winterhaven, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed rotor RPM to decrease after lift off, helicopter settled, left skid dug in causing crash.

## Other investigations on N4099G (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 LAX88DUG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUG07), Sep 18, 1988: Bell 47G-5A (N4099G), Perris, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX76DUJ29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUJ29), Sep 8, 1975: Bell 47G-5 (N4099G), Chandler, AZ, 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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