BELL 47G-5
Watsonville, CA — July 20, 2011
Event Information
| Date | July 20, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR11CA339 |
| Event ID | 20110720X52306 |
| Location | Watsonville, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.90889, -121.67389 |
| Airport | None |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | BELL |
| Model | 47G-5 |
| 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 pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Full Narrative
The pilot was spraying water on a field to wash the hopper tank for the next load of chemicals. On the second pass the pilot attempted to clear a wire that ran perpendicular to his flight path by descending beneath it at an altitude of approximately 5 feet. The pilot reported that the outer end of one main rotor blade struck the pole and the helicopter hit the ground and rolled over.
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.