# NTSB OAK70D0145: Bell 47G, N7985A, Hollister, CA, September 8, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1969
- Place: Hollister, CA · HOLLISTER, CA
- Location: 36.8556° N, 121.3995° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hollister, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8556&lon=-121.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK70D0145
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0145

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3926   69/9/8    HOLLISTER,CALIF     BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 1141
        TIME - 1030                    N7985A              PX-  0  0  1  POWER/PIPELINE            TOTAL HOURS, 528 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOLLISTER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HAYWARD ARPT                MANTECA,CALIF                HOLLISTER ARPT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- HAD EXPERIENCED PLUG FOULING PRIOR THIS FLT. WAS ABLE TO REMOVE 6 PLUGS,EVIDENCE OF FOULING FOUND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7985A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7985A), registered now, S/N 1022, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hollister

## Other investigations on N7985A (3)

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 WPR26LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA247), Jul 3, 2026: Bell 47G (N7985A), Springtown, TX, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB OAK75FVG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG13), Aug 13, 1974: Bell 47G (N7985A), Sacramento, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X1458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1458), Apr 25, 1964: Bell 47G (N7985A), Hayward, 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.

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