# NTSB LAX85LA079: Bell 47G, N182JR, Chatsworth, CA, December 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1984, 16:30 local (Dec 22, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Chatsworth, CA
- Coordinates: 34.279346, -118.609146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2793&lon=-118.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING OFF AIRPORT TOUCH & GO'S. ON THE SECOND LNDG THE LEFT SKID CONTACTED A HIDDEN DIRT EMBANKMENT ANDTHE ACFT ROLLED OVER. A POST IMPACT FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PLTS ABOARD THE HELICOPTER ESCAPED UNHARMED. THE LANDING AREA CONTAINED HIGH VEGETATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N182JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N182JR-2019-10-17), registration cancelled 2019-10-17, S/N 22, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 22
- Airframe hours: 9410
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6VS-335A-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. White, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1984, 79 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 8 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 19841221067639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841221067639A), Dec 21, 1984: Bell 47G, Chatsworth, CA, Destroyed. During hover landing, left skid contacted embankment. Drifted to right and rolled over. Wind also a factor.

## Other investigations on N182JR (3)

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 MIA98LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA170), May 28, 1998: Bell 47G (N182JR), Bunnell, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command(CFI) failure to maintain control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB MKC89LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA195), Sep 2, 1989: Bell 47G (N182JR), Ozark, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE DUAL STUDENT TO PROPERLY FLARE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT SKID. THE CFI ALSO FAILED TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE…
- [NTSB LAX80FUQ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUQ11), Feb 26, 1980: Bell 47G (N182JR), Pacoima, 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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