# NTSB LAX86LA070: Bell 47G2, N8404E, Moss, CA, December 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1985, 17:21 local (Dec 19, 1985, 01:21 UTC)
- Place: Moss, CA
- Coordinates: 36.829635, -121.78012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8296&lon=-121.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER STARTING A LEFT CLIMBING TURN AT THE END OF A SPRAY RUN THE PLT SAID HE FELT A 'SHUDDER IN THE AIRFRAME' AS THE ENGINE 'WENT TO FULL RPM.'  THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT 'THE CLUTCH HAD SLIPPED' AND ADDED COLLECTIVE TO COMPENSATE. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SETTLING TOWARD THE GROUND AND THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT ARREST THE DESCENT PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WERE EXAMINED, WITH NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION EVIDENT.

## 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 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2013
- Airframe hours: 12366
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gomes Farm Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1985, 100 hours before
- Destination: 540, CASTROVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,200 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 12 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 19851218062929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851218062929A), Dec 18, 1985: Bell 47G2, Moss Landing, CA, Substantial damage. Felt shudder in the airframe and engine, went to full RPM. Could not stop descent to impact. No malfunction found.

## 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 LAX85LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA035), Oct 28, 1984: Bell 47-G2 (N8404E), Castroville, 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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