Bell 47G-2 accident near San Diego, California, September 11, 1982
On September 11, 1982 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Bell 47G-2 (helicopter), registered N4242A, was destroyed in an accident near San Diego, California (Montgomery Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 1982 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- San Diego, California · Montgomery Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-2 · all 47G-2s on the register
- Registration
- N4242A · no longer on the register · serial 22
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT WAS IN THE LOCAL PATTERN PRACTICING MANEUVERS. AFTER COMPLETING A QUICK STOP MANEUVER & HOVERING, ANOTHER TAKEOFF WAS INITIATED. THE PLT STATED THAT IT SEEMED TO TAKE AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF FORWARD CYCLIC TO INITIATE FORWARD FLT. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH FULL FORWARD CYCLIC WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FORWARD FLT. THE ACFT STOPPED SHORT OF THE LANDING SPOT & STARTED BACKING UP. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER. THE BROKEN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FORE & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL, P/N 47-724-132-1, WAS EXAMINED & FOUND TO BE A VERY POOR QUALITY CASTING. COLD SHUTS & SHRINKAGE CAVITIES WERE OBSERVED ON OVER APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FORE & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL FAILED BY A SLOW FRACTURE PROCESS INITIATED BY THE PRESENCE OF LARGE CASTING DEFECTS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 41 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 16 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,377 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-435-23C (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 1:55 pm
- Destination: MYF San Diego CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 162°F (72°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.