# NTSB LAX85LVA03: Bell 47-G5, N1316X, Lindsay, CA, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1985, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Lindsay, CA
- Coordinates: 36.199016, -119.079643 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1990&lon=-119.0796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LVA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BEET FIELD FOLLOWING A NOISE IN THE ENG OR TRANSMISSION. AFTER HE HEARD A NOISE THE PLT AUTO-ROTATED AND DURING THE HARD LANDING THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1316X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1316X-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 7827 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7827
- Airframe hours: 5662
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-BIA 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: M&W Flying Service, Inc., doing business as N/A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1984, 120 hours before
- Departed: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Destination: LINDSAY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 15 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 19850520018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850520018449A), May 20, 1985: Bell 47G5, Lindsay, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route to spray operation. Tail boom cut off by main rotor on landing. 4 spark plugs fouled, left side

## Other investigations on N1316X (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 LAX88DVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVM02), Jun 5, 1988: Bell 47G5 (N1316X), Oceano, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX86FVA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVA11), Jul 8, 1986: Bell 47G-5 (N1316X), Porterville, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK75DVA51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVA51), Mar 23, 1975: Bell 47G-5 (N1316X), Porterville, 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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