# NTSB LAX85LA344: Bell 47G-2, N2899B, Big Bear City, CA, August 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear City, CA
- Coordinates: 34.260551, -116.840232 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2606&lon=-116.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA344

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition
  - visual lookout - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ON AUGUST 12, 1985, A BELL 47G2 HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A YUCCA TREE AND ROLLED OVER DURING A LANDING NEAR BIG BEAR CITY, CA. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PLT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS A AERIAL OBSERVATION AT AN ELEVATION OF 7500 FEET, BUT THIS WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE OF THE DENSITY ALTITUDE. THE PLT DESCENDED TO 4500 FEET TO DROP OFF ONE PASSENGER IN ORDER TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD. DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2899B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2899B), registered now, S/N 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1999
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-43 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Pike & Charles Rhodes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,709 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,574 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850812041999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812041999A), Aug 12, 1985: Bell 47G2, Big Bear City, CA, Substantial damage. Main rotors struck a yucca during landing in a cleared arer. Aircraft rolled over.

## Other investigations on N2899B (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 LAX90LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA042), Dec 2, 1989: Bell 47G-II (N2899B), Rialto, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT OVERCONTROL WHILE HOVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE.
- [NTSB SEA74DYG49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG49), Jun 24, 1974: Bell 47G-2 (N2899B), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA70DWD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70DWD05), Feb 25, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N2899B), Rochester, WA, 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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