20010531009989A

(.19)On may 31, 2001, at 1136 hours pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, crashed under unknown circumstances near bakersfield, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was being operated by inland crop dusters, inc., as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight had originated in the bakersfield area earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was reported by kern county sheriff's deputies to have been performing an aerial application flight when the helicopter crashed. Winds were reported as variable at 3 knots. Federal aviation administration inspectors from the fresno flight standard district office reported that they would not be responding to the scene. (-23)pilot was conducting aerial application with comite on a corn field. During a pass under the power lines the pilot reportedly settled and hit the ground with a skid resulting in the accident. The power lines were estimated to be about 40 feet above the ground when he went under them. Day VFR conditions prevailed and weather for the bfl airport indicated variable at 3 knots. No flight plan was filed and no injuries were incurred by the pilot of any other person. Inspection of the aircraft performed by inspector gene sweet of fat FSDO and there was no evidence of mechanical failure. The rotor blade grips were intact. (.4) on may 31, 2001, at 1136 hours pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, collided with the ground during an aerial application turn to reverse direction near buttonwillow, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was being operated by inland crop dusters, inc., as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight had originated in the bakersfield area earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was reported by kern county sheriff's deputies to have been performing an aerial application flight when the helicopter crashed. According to the pilot, he was making a series of steep 180-degree turns between aerial application passes. He reported that on the last turn the helicopter began to "settle with power" and there was not enough time to recover. By his account, wind direction was a contributing factor. Wind speeds recorded at bakersfield weather station were variable at 3 knots.