# NTSB OAK73DVA62: Bell 47G-2, N6720D, Kettlmn Cty, CA, June 9, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 9, 1973
- Place: Kettlmn Cty, CA · KETTLMN CTY, CA
- Location: 36.0090° N, 119.9629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kettleman City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0090&lon=-119.9629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 190612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73DVA62
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVA62

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1125   73/6/9    KETTLMN CTY,CALIF   BELL 47G-2          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0900                    N6720D              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  AGE 36, 2050 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1675 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KETTLMN CTY,CALIF           BAKERSFIELD,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        REMARKS- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FLT 30-40 FT AGL. HIT PWR LINES THAT BLENDED INTO TERRAIN.POLES SET 900FT APART.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6720D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6720D), registered now, S/N 2204, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730609016539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730609016539A), Jun 9, 1973: Bell 47G3B1, Kettlmn Cty, CA, Substantial damage. Geological survey flt 30-40 ft AGL. Hit pwr lines that blended into terrain. Poles set 900FT apart.

## Other investigations on N6720D (2)

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 LAX68A0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0091), Mar 24, 1968: Bell 47G-2 (N6720D), Hntngtn Bch, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX68A0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0024), Aug 23, 1967: Bell 47G-2 (N6720D), Hntngtn Bch, 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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