# NTSB OAK75DVA30: Bell 47G3B2, N7986J, Big Creek, CA, October 18, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 18, 1974
- Place: Big Creek, CA · BIG CREEK, CA
- Location: 37.2036° N, 119.2485° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Creek, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2036&lon=-119.2485&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK75DVA30
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVA30

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3176  74/10/18 NR.BIG CREEK,CALIF    BELL 47G3B2         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 2297
        TIME - 1130                    N7986J              PX-  0  0  2  NS CTR PASSG              TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHINA PEAK,CALIF            NUTMEG,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PILOT MISCONSTRUED THE THROTTLE DETENT AHEAD OF THE FULL THROTTLE RANGE AS BINDING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7986J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7986J-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 6834, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19741018034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741018034619A), Oct 18, 1974: Bell 47G3B2A, Big Creek, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot misconstrued the throttle detent ahead of the full throttle range as binding.

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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