BELL 47G
Five Points, CA — January 3, 2013
Event Information
| Date | January 3, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR13CA084 |
| Event ID | 20130103X03900 |
| Location | Five Points, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.19959, -120.08987 |
| 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 clearance with a telephone pole during a low-level maneuver.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that after take off he made a standard turn to line up with the field to be sprayed and began the descent under two sets of powerlines. He then observed a telephone pole to the right and thought he had plenty of clearance to avoid it, but then he heard and felt the impact of a main rotor blade strike the pole. The helicopter yawed to the right before it impacted the ground, rolled forward, and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure 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.