# NTSB LAX86LA203: Bell 47G-2, N4239J, Palmdale, CA, May 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1986, 19:10 local (May 2, 1986, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Palmdale, CA
- Coordinates: 34.519378, -118.079536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5194&lon=-118.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,compass - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD IN THE DESERT WHILE ON A VFR PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE JUST DEPARTED A MOUNTIAN AREA FOR REFUELING. HE ALSO INDICATED HE WAS DISORIENTED AND THE COMPASS WAS INOPERABLE. HE DECIDED TO LAND AND CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY. HE STATED HE MISJUDGED THE LANDING, THE TAIL HIT THE DESERT FLOOR AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. APRX 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE BELL 47G, THE FUEL CAPACITY IS 43 GALLONS TOTAL WITH 41 GALLONS USABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4239J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4239J-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 1 (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: 1
- Airframe hours: 12211
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6VS-335-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Riverside Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: PMD, PALMDALE, CA
- Airport: PMD, Palmdale

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,943 total, 1,538 in this make and model, 1,870 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PMD, 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 19860501015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860501015109A), May 1, 1986: Bell 47G2, Palmdale, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was damaged during a hard emergency landing. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion. Compass inoperable.

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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