# NTSB OAK78DVG52: Bell 47G5, N7923J, Napa, CA, June 21, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 21, 1978
- Place: Napa, CA · NAPA, CA
- Location: 38.2971° N, 122.3010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Napa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2971&lon=-122.3010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78DVG52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVG52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1348  78/6/21  NR.NAPA,CA            BELL 47G5           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0945                    N7923J              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        52, 15090 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2119 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         NAPA,CA                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: PULLUP FROM SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LATERAL IMBALANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   35                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          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 - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  110                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- L HOPPER EMPTY,R HOPPER 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL.MIRROR INSTALLED TO MONITOR UNEVEN FLOW.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7923J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7923J-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 25040, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (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 19780621016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780621016219A), Jun 21, 1978: Bell 47B3, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. L hopper empty,r hopper 1/2 to 3/4 full. Mirror installed to monitneven flow.

## Other investigations on N7923J (4)

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 LAX95LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA216), Jun 18, 1995: Bell 47-G5 (N7923J), Coalinga, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: clutch slippage for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the helicopter's low above ground altitude, which limited the pilot's time and ability to recover main rotor rpm.
- [NTSB OAK74DVD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVD28), Mar 24, 1974: Bell 47G-5 (N7923J), Stockton, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73DRG47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DRG47), Feb 2, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N7923J), Harlingen, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73DRG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DRG30), Dec 7, 1972: Bell 47G-5 (N7923J), Harlingen, TX, 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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