# Accident 20020824021989A: Bell 47G2, North Shore, CA, August 24, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 24, 2002, 18:43 local time
- Place: North Shore, CA
- Airport: Desert Air Sky Ranch
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 33.4500° N, 116.1000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-116.1000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8478H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8478H) (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
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA262) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020824021989A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE OPERATOR OF A BELL 47-G2 (N8478H, SERIAL NUMBER 2214) STRUCK POWER LINES WITH HIS TAIL ROTOR WHILE MAKING A FINAL PASS DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL NUTRIENTS IN A FIELD IN OASIS, CA. THE SINGLE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURY, SUFFERING BOTH A BROKEN BACK AND SERIOUS BURNS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VIRTUALLY DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CAUGHT FIRE SOME 100 YARDS FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE POWER LINES. (.19) ON AUGUST 24, 2002, AT 1843 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A BELL 47G-2, N8478H, COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERING FOR A LOCAL CITRUS NURSERY NEAR OASIS, CALIFORNIA. THE HELICOPTER, OPERATED BY SALTON SEA AIR SERVICES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 137 AS AN AGRICULTURAL CROP DUSTING OPERATION, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE LOCAL AREA FLIGHT, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED FROM A PRIVATE STRIP NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE, AND WAS SCHEDULED TO TERMINATE AT THE PRIVATE STRIP.

## 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 LAX02LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA262), Aug 25, 2002: Bell 47G-2 (N8478H), Oasis, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## Other reports on N8478H (1)

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

- [Incident 19890521032289I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521032289I), May 21, 1989: Bell 47G2 (N8478H), San Juan, Puerto Rico, Minor damage. Practicing power recovery auto rotation. Had directional control problems. Hard landing had tail rotor malfunction.

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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