# NTSB OAK74DVA22: Bell 47G-5, N1329X, Fresno, CA, October 4, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 4, 1973
- Place: Fresno, CA · FRESNO, CA
- Location: 36.7477° N, 119.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fresno, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7477&lon=-119.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74DVA22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVA22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3930   73/10/4   FRESNO,CALIF        BELL 47G-5          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0930                    N1329X              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 27, 11000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 895 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRESNO,CALIF                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  270                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - SECOND 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- T/R BLADE,P/N 47-642-102-51,FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1329X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1329X-1976-11-17), registration cancelled 1976-11-17, S/N 7830 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (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 19731004030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731004030809A), Oct 4, 1973: Bell 47G5, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. T/r blade,p/n 47-642-102-51,failed.

## Other investigations on N1329X (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 LAX74FVM28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FVM28), May 23, 1974: Bell 47G-5 (N1329X), Cayucas, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB OAK68A0053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68A0053), Jan 24, 1968: Bell 47G-5 (N1329X), Minden, NV, 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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