# NTSB LAX93LA120: Bell 47G, N1185W, Bakersfield, CA, February 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1993, 13:28 local (21:28 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Location: 35.3733° N, 119.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bakersfield, CA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3733&lon=-119.0187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA120

## Probable cause

THE CLUTCH SLIPPAGE AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - slipped (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS FULLY LOADED WITH FERTILIZER BEFORE DEPARTING THE TRUCK LOADING PLATFORM.  SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF THE HELICOPTER'S CLUTCH SLIPPED AND DISENGAGED THE MAIN ROTOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION.  THE PILOT DID NOT JETTISON THE LOAD AND THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1185W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1185W-2018-04-25), registration cancelled 2018-04-25, S/N 7513, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- 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: 7513
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Inland Crop Dusting, Inc.
- Registered owner: Inland Crop Dusting, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °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 19930213002339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930213002339A), Feb 13, 1993: Bell 47G4A, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Main rotor clutch slipped on vertical takeoff from loading truck. Lost rotor RPM. Made hard autorotation landing.

## Other investigations on N1185W (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 LAX86DVA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86DVA13), Aug 8, 1986: Bell 47G-4A (N1185W), Shafter, 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.

---
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.