# NTSB LAX88LA126: Bell 47G-2A-1, N73969, Oceanside, CA, March 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1988, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200187, -117.349044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2002&lon=-117.3490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-U.S. CERTIFICATED PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHILE HOVERING 3-FT AGL DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT.  THE ACFT DESCENDED, TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND ROLLED OVER.  THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PILOT IMMEDIATELY DEPARTED THE SCENE & REPORTEDLY HEADED TOWARD MX. THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DETECT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73969-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 2877, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A-1
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a-1) (registry code 1181014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2877
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jo Ann Hallock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880311005149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880311005149A), Mar 11, 1988: Bell 47G2A1, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed. Foreign pilot lost control of helicopter on test flight while in a hover. Crashed. Pilot left scene.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.