# NTSB LAX87DVM03: Bell 47G-5, N6288N, Salinas, CA, June 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1987, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.639415, -121.619026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6394&lon=-121.6190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, ENROUTE TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED THE HELICOPTER ONTO A SOFT FIELD, WHERE ON TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAN THE USABLE AMOUNT OF FUEL FOR OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6288N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6288N), registered now, S/N 7888, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7888
- Airframe hours: 5349
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Soilserv, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 79 hours before
- Destination: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Airport: SNS, Salinas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,957 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 1 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 19870628027489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870628027489A), Jun 28, 1987: Bell 47G5, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the helicopter made a hard landing. Fuel gauge malfunction a factor.

## Other investigations on N6288N (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 WPR16LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA099), Apr 29, 2016: Bell 47G 5 (N6288N), San Ardo, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pin in the outboard end of the lateral flight control torque tube.

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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