BELL 47G 5A
Greenfield, CA — February 18, 2014
Event Information
| Date | February 18, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR14CA115 |
| Event ID | 20140219X21808 |
| Location | Greenfield, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.28083, -121.16695 |
| Airport | KING CITY |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | BELL |
| Model | 47G 5A |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power pole during low-altitude maneuvering flight.
Full Narrative
During the 2 hours leading up to the accident, the pilot of the agriculture and pest control category helicopter had sprayed about 40 acres of crops, having refueled once. He stated that during the last pass of his current field he misjudged the distance between the main rotor blades and a power pole. The main rotor blades struck the pole, and the pilot performed a forced landing into the field. During the landing, the helicopter rolled over, sustaining substantial damage to the firewall, tailboom, and cabin structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and further stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had flown over the pole rather than attempting to fly around it.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.