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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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March 11, 1988 · Bell 47G-2A-1 · N73969

Oceanside, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Oceanside, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A-1
Tail Number
N73969
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA126

THE NON-U.S. CERTIFICATED PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHILE HOVERING 3-FT AGL DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT. THE ACFT DESCENDED, TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PILOT IMMEDIATELY DEPARTED THE SCENE & REPORTEDLY HEADED TOWARD MX. THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DETECT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

THE NON-U.S. CERTIFICATED PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHILE HOVERING 3-FT AGL DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT. THE ACFT DESCENDED, TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND ROLLED OVER. THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PILOT IMMEDIATELY DEPARTED THE SCENE & REPORTEDLY HEADED TOWARD MX. THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DETECT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2A-1
Tail NumberN73969
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 265
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time12:30
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data