# Accident 20000312006479A: Bell 47G2, Vacaville, CA, March 12, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 12, 2000, 15:38 local time
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Damage: No damage
- Location: 38.4106° N, 122.0105° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4106&lon=-122.0105&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9763Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9763Z-2013-08-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-2 (registry code 1181008, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX00LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA124) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000312006479A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.23) DURING AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITY HELI STRUCK POWERLINE WIRES IN FIELD AND CRASHED. AFTER STRIKING THE GROUND A FIRE ENSUED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO A/C. LOCAL FIRE DEPT RESPONDED AND FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. LONE OCCUPANT (OIC) SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. NO FURTHER PERSONAL OR PRIVATE PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. (.19)ON MARCH 12, 2000, ABOUT 1538 HOURS PACIFIC STANDARD TIME, A BELL 47G, N9763Z, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER COLLIDING WITH WIRES WHILE MANEUVERING ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT NEAR VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA. NORTH COAST HELICOPTERS, INC. OPERATED THE HELICOPTER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 137. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE JOB SITE ON A TRAILER AND DEPARTED TO DISPENSE CHEMICALS ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE MISHAP. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD COMPLETED SPRAYING APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE FIELD AND DID NOT SEE THE WIRES. HE EXTRICATED HIMSELF FROM THE HELICOPTER, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX00LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA124), Mar 12, 2000: Bell 47G (N9763Z), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to see wires and maintain clearance while flying at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N9763Z (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19810705046159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810705046159A), Jul 5, 1981: Bell 47G2 (N9763Z), Agua Dulce, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to move helicopter to a better landing area. Tail rotor hit ground, broke off. Helicopter rolled over.
- [Accident 19780120000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780120000609A), Jan 20, 1978: Bell 47G2 (N9763Z), San Pedro, CA, Substantial damage. Float equipped.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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