# NTSB LAX87DVD01: Bell 47G4A, N28938, Stockton, CA, February 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1987, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.960533, -121.259727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9605&lon=-121.2597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVD01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line fitting - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS WHILE TRANSPORTING AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT. A FRACTOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED FUEL DISCONNECT FITTING BY ANAMET LABORATORIES, CONCLUDED THAT APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE RETAINING RING ON THE FUEL DISCONNECT FITTING HAD FRACTURED BY METAL FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE CRACK WAS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE CRASH; HOWEVER, IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHETHER THE FRACTURE MAY HAVE CAUSED PARTIAL CLOSING OF THE DISCONNECT VALVE IN THE FITTING. THIS COULD CUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY DURING OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28938](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28938-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 7728, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7728
- Airframe hours: 6012
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gary Michael Eccles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1987, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 935 total, 726 in this make and model, 714 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- 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 19870202002229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870202002229A), Feb 2, 1987: Bell 47G4A, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation and the helicopter made a hard landing. Fuel disconnect fitting fatigued.

## Other investigations on N28938 (1)

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 WPR10LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA117), Jan 22, 2010: Bell 47G-4A (N28938), Shafter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and recurrent inspections required by a Service…

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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