# NTSB LAX85LA400: Bell 47G-2, N2874B, Watsonville, CA, September 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1985, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950042, -121.719055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9500&lon=-121.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA400
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA400

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - rotor drive system,freewheeling unit(other) - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - not possible, pilot in command
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING AN AG FLT, AT ABT 5 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE ENG OVERSPED, & ALL PWR TO THE ROTOR BLADES WAS LOST. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO IMMEDIATELY LAND IN THE UNDERLYING FIELD, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/AIRSPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN & SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE CLUTCH REVEALED THAT POOR CONTACT WAS BEING MADE BETWEEN THE SHOES & DRUM. EXAM OF THE FREE WHEELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED NUMEROUS ROLLERS WHICH WOULD NOT LOCK. IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH COMPONENTS'S FAILURE WAS PRIMARY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2874B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2874B-1988-03-10), registration cancelled 1988-03-10, S/N 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1987
- Airframe hours: 8310
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicair Ag, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: WATSONVILLE, CA
- Destination: WATSONVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,236 total, 6,448 in this make and model, 19,054 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850921047049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850921047049A), Sep 21, 1985: Bell 47G2, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Hard landing, power to main rotor lost. Transmission free wheeling unit had broken springs, rollers would not lock.

## Other investigations on N2874B (4)

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 OAK76DVM20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVM20), Dec 14, 1975: Bell 47G-2 (N2874B), Salinas, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK70DVM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70DVM04), Feb 24, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N2874B), Greenfield, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK70D0043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0043), Jul 10, 1969: Bell 47G-2 (N2874B), Hollister, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3891](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3891), Sep 9, 1964: Bell 47G2 (N2874B), Earlimart, 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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