# NTSB LAX85LA035: Bell 47-G2, N8404E, Castroville, CA, October 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1984, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Castroville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.76025, -121.750579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7602&lon=-121.7506&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): 24590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA035

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF A SWATH RUN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE HARD FORCED LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8404E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8404E-1989-12-06), registration cancelled 1989-12-06, S/N 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2013
- Airframe hours: 2013
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gomes Farm Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,810 total, 450 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 10 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 19841028061839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841028061839A), Oct 28, 1984: Bell 47G2, Castroville, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit during spray run from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N8404E (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 LAX86LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA070), Dec 19, 1985: Bell 47G2 (N8404E), Moss, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK79DVM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVM07), Dec 6, 1978: Bell 47G2 (N8404E), Castroville, CA, 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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