# Accident 20080714840859A: Bell 47G3B1, Shafter, CA, July 14, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 14, 2008, 22:47 local time
- Place: Shafter, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: YL7G
- Location: 35.4528° N, 119.3425° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4528&lon=-119.3425&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1390X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1390X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-3B-1 (registry code 1181028, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TVO-435-GIA (registry code 41526, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 11,000 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX08CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA229) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080714840859A

## Narrative

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

(-23) DURING AGRICULTURAL OPERATHIONS N1390XP WAS ATTEMPTING TO SPRAY A FIELD AT NIGHT, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CAUSING THE FLOODLIGHT TO STOP WORKING. THEAIRCRAFT WAS DIVING DOWN TOWARDS THE AA FIELD WHEN THIS OCCURRED.  THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING IT TO CRASH LAND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE CAUSING THE SKIDS TO DUG INTO THE AA FIELD SENDING THE AIRCRAFT IN A FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLE PITCH. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED FORWEARD SEPARATING THE SKID TYPE GEAR AND MAIN ROTOR GEARBOX. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOTED THAT THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ALTERNATING BETWEEN 0 AND 24 VOLTS, BUT CONTINUED FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR SEVERAL MORE FLIGHTS DURING THAT NIGHT. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THE ALTERNATOR HAD RECEIVED SOME WORK ON 4-5 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT USED THE STARNDAR 250 W AIRCRAFT LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR TAKEOFF BUT ONCE AT THE FIELD HE WOULD THEN LIGHT THE AREA WITH 600 W FLOODLIGHTS. IT IS AT THIS TIME THE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED A BLACK OUT SITUATION THAT LED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT, THE ONLY OCCUPANT OF THIS AIRCRAFT WAS NOT INJURED.

## 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 LAX08CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA229), Jul 15, 2008: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1390X), Shafter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the…

## Other reports on N1390X (1)

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

- [Accident 19900521016869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521016869A), May 21, 1990: Bell 47G3B1 (N1390X), Lake Wales, FL, Destroyed. On a spray pass during turn near power pole, the right boom contacted trees, main rotor blades hit pole. Crashed

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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