# NTSB OAK72FVD11: Bell 47G3B, N8468E, Brentwood, CA, September 8, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1971
- Place: Brentwood, CA · BRENTWOOD, CA
- Location: 37.9356° N, 121.7190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brentwood, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9356&lon=-121.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK72FVD11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FVD11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3250   71/9/8    BRENTWOOD,CALIF     BELL 47G3B          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1000                    N8468E              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 39, 12935 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 6020 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRENTWOOD,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  PROP/ENGINE VIBRATION
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 5500                       KIND OF OPERATION - OTHER
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        REMARKS- ONE M/R STABILIZER BAR SEPRTD IN FLT,CAUSED SVR VBRTN. CRASH LNDD IN ORCHARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8468E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8468E), registered now, S/N 2647 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-a1a) (registry code 41937, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N8468E (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 DFW08CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA188), Jul 1, 2008: Bell 47G-3B (N8468E), Mullen, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The plot's distraction with the chemical load resulting the failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor was no suitable terrain for landing.
- [NTSB OAK67A0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67A0034), Sep 13, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8468E), San Rafael, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66A0033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66A0033), Feb 12, 1966: Bell 47G-3B (N8468E), Antioch, 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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