# Accident 20110731017329A: Bell 47G-5, Pixley, CA, July 31, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 31, 2011, 11:00 local time
- Place: Pixley, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: XF6G
- Location: 36.0589° N, 119.0167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0589&lon=-119.0167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6260C, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6260C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-5 (registry code 1181032, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 25,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11CA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA394) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731017329A

## Narrative

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

PILOT ATTEMPTED DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM THE TOP OF A RELOADING TRUCK AFTER BEING RELOADED DURING AN AERIAL SPRAYING OPERATION.  THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE GROUND AT APPROXIMATELY 3-4 KNOTS FORWARD SPEED, THE SKID TYPE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED AND SEVERED THE AFT PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM.

## 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 WPR11CA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA394), Jul 31, 2011: Bell 47G (N6260C), Porterville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to takeoff in a tailwind condition, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient lift during the takeoff.

## Other reports on N6260C (2)

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

- [Accident 20010207001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010207001599A), Feb 7, 2001: Bell 47G5 (N6260C), Pixley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was using a truck mounted elevated platform for takeoff. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot would nose the helo over to aid in flying into…
- [Incident 20000315002339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000315002339I), Mar 15, 2000: Bell 47G5 (N6260C), Ducor, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On March 15, 2000, at about 1630, while conducted aerial application under FAR 137 the helicopter hit a telephone wire as it passed under the wire strung…

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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