Bell 47G
King City, CA — October 18, 2019
Event Information
| Date | October 18, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA034 |
| Event ID | 20191018X20936 |
| Location | King City, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.19806, -121.11028 |
| Airport | Mesa Del Rey |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Bell |
| Model | 47G |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.
Full Narrative
The helicopter pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he planned to fly over the top of the power pole. He applied full up collective to climb over the power lines, but the helicopter struggled to gain altitude. After clearing the pole, the main rotor speed got slow, the helicopter "quit flying", and he decided to conduct a run on landing on the field. The helicopter landed hard and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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.