# NTSB LAX85FA091: Bell 47G3B, N474MP, San Diego, CA, December 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1984, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.70943, -117.16014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7094&lon=-117.1601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON THE MORRED TUNA BOAT. AFTER TOUDHDOWN THE HELICOPTER APPEARED TO BE REPOSITIONING ITSELF WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE BOOM PORTION OF A CRANE WHICH WAS BEING UTILIZED TO LOAD BAGS OF SALT ABOARD THE BOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N474MP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6531
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don Underwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEE, SANTEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 21,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAN, 4 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 19841228068799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841228068799A), Dec 28, 1984: Bell 47G3B, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. During repositioning after touchdown on tuna boat,main rotor blade struck crane. Blade broke and went into cockpit.

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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