# NTSB OAK76DVG16: Bell 47G, N179B, Gold Run, CA, August 25, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 25, 1975
- Place: Gold Run, CA · GOLD RUN, CA
- Location: 39.1807° N, 120.8558° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gold Run, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1807&lon=-120.8558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 22, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 150814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK76DVG16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2764  75/8/25    GOLD RUN,CA         BELL 47G            CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1400                    N179B               PX-  0  0  1  DEMONSTRATION             AGE 37, 3323 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            26 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DUTCH FLAT,CA               GOLD RUN,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      85
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- DA 4000FT.TRANSITION TO HOVER OVR RIVER,LOST RPM,SETTLED INTO RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N179B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179B-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 33, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, 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 19750825030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750825030339A), Aug 25, 1975: Bell 47G, Gold Run, CA, Substantial damage. Da 4000FT.transition to hover ovr river,lost RPM,settled into river.

## Other investigations on N179B (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 OAK76DVD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVD44-154315), Jul 19, 1976: Bell 47G (N179B), Pittsburg, CA, destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X3405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3405), Aug 15, 1964: Bell 47G (N179B), Alameda, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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