# Accident 20010811020569A: Bell 47G4A, Strathmore, CA, August 11, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 11, 2001, 06:03 local time
- Place: Strathmore, CA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: OREG
- Location: 36.1525° N, 119.1836° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1525&lon=-119.1836&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4262Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4262Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-4A (registry code 1181031, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-540 series (registry code 41534, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX01LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA276) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010811020569A

## Narrative

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

(-23) APPROXIMATELY 06:30 THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE FIELD IN WHICH HE INTENDED TO DO AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING. THE PILOT DID TWO COMPLETE TURNS AROUND THIS FIELD TO INSPECT FOR ALL POWERLINES PRIOR TO APPLICATION. THE PILOT BEGAN THE APPLICATION OF SPRAY AT A SLOW AIRSPEED. THE PILOT DID NOT SEE A SMALL GAGE WIRE WHICH RAN FROM THE HOUSE TO A PUMPING FACILITY. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THIS WIRE AND CONTACTED THE GROUND INFLICTING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT HAD NO INJURIES AND WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT.  UPON NOTIFICATION FROM THE REGIONAL DUTY OFFICER ON 08/11/2001, THE REPORTING INSPECTOR WAS TOLD THIS HELICOPTER HAD BEEN CLEARED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE BY THE NTSB.                                                   (.19) ON AUGUST 11, 2001, ABOUT 0603 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A BELL 47G-4A, N4262Y, OWNED AND OPERATED BY MOORE AVIATION, INC., TULARE, CALIFORNIA, IMPACTED POWER LINES AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD NEAR STRATHMORE, CALIFORNIA. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED DURING THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THAT WAS PERFORMED UNDER 14 CFR PART 137. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED, AND THE COMMERCIAL PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED  FROM STRATHMORE ABOUT 0555. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THE MISHAP THE PILOT HAD OBSERVED POLES IN THE AREA, BUT HAD NOT OBSERVED THE ASSOCIATED POWER LINES. DURING A LOW ALTITUDE PASS, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE LINES AND CRASHED INTO AN OPEN FIELD. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER WERE REPORTED.

## 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 LAX01LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA276), Aug 11, 2001: Bell 47G-4A (N4262Y), Strathmore, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## Other reports on N4262Y (2)

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

- [Incident 19900306034799I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900306034799I), Mar 6, 1990: Bell 47G4A (N4262Y), Portville, CA, Minor damage. Contacted powerline at the end of a spray run. Landed safely.
- [Accident 19830203002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830203002319A), Feb 3, 1983: Bell 47G4A (N4262Y), Five Points, CA, Destroyed. Flying under wires struck another set of unseen wires on pull up from a spray run. Crashed into a canal.

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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