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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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April 15, 1982 · Bell 47G-2 · N2879B

Stockton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Stockton, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N2879B
Operator
Valley Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82DA135

THE PILOT LANDED TO PICK UP A FLAGGER AND TAKE HIM TO THE END OF THE FIELD. THE LANDING WAS MADE FACING NORTH ON A NORTH-SOUTH DRIVEWAY. AN OVERHEAD LINE WAS LOCATED ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY. DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MOVED LATERALLY TO THE WEST, AND THEN TURNED THE HELICOPTER TO TAKEOFF. HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WOULD BE CLEAR OF THE OVERHEAD LINE; HOWEVER, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE WIRE AND FAILED. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT INITIATED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. DURING TOUCHDOWN, A SKID FAILED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS STILL SPINNING AND MOVING ACROSS THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEMOLISHED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT LANDED TO PICK UP A FLAGGER AND TAKE HIM TO THE END OF THE FIELD. THE LANDING WAS MADE FACING NORTH ON A NORTH-SOUTH DRIVEWAY. AN OVERHEAD LINE WAS LOCATED ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY. DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MOVED LATERALLY TO THE WEST, AND THEN TURNED THE HELICOPTER TO TAKEOFF. HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WOULD BE CLEAR OF THE OVERHEAD LINE; HOWEVER, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE WIRE AND FAILED. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT INITIATED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION. DURING TOUCHDOWN, A SKID FAILED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS STILL SPINNING AND MOVING ACROSS THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEMOLISHED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN2879B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorValley Helicopters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data