# Accident 20090708013339A: Bell 47G2, Turlock, CA, July 8, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 8, 2009, 11:00 local time
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PWFG
- Location: 37.4703° N, 120.9006° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4703&lon=-120.9006&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6768D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6768D-2018-03-15) (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
- Reported engine: LYC VO435*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 543 total, 343 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA333) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090708013339A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS POSSIBLE CAUGHT INTO SETTLING WITH POWER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING A CLIMBING 180° LEFT HAND TURN (AG-TURN).  AS HE WAS CLIMBING HE NOTED THAT THE ROTOR RPM STARTED TO DROOP BUT TAUGHT IT WOULD RETURN INTO THE GREEN RANGE AFTER THE TURN IN THE DECENT BACK TO THE FIELD.  AT THIS TIME HE NOTICED HE WAS UNABLE TO BRING TO RPM BACK IN THE GREEN RANGE AND NOTICED THAT HELICOPTER STARTED TO VIBRATE FOLLOWED BY A RAPID DECENT.  AS THE AIRCRAFT MADE CONTACT WITH SURFACE THE ROTOR BLADES MADE CONTACT WITH THE TAIL ROTOR AND THE AIRCRAFT BUBBLE WINDOW.  THE WING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS VARIABLE AT 5 KNOTS.

## 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 WPR09CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA333), Jul 8, 2009: Bell 47G-2 (N6768D), Turlock, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N6768D (1)

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

- [Accident 19900709024939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900709024939A), Jul 9, 1990: Bell 47G2A (N6768D), Hatley, WI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after liftoff from service truck. Hard impact rotors chopped tailboom. Found sticking valves.

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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