# Accident 20140718016419A: Bell 47G-2A, Merced, CA, July 18, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 18, 2014, 07:44 local time
- Place: Merced, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: PWFG
- Location: 37.2953° N, 120.5322° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2953&lon=-120.5322&mi=10
- Aircraft: N47DT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47DT-2018-02-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-2A (registry code 1181012, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA296) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140718016419A

## Narrative

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

ON JULY 18, 2014, N47DT A BELL 47 HELICOPTER WHICH WAS CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL SPRAY OPERATIONS  MADE CONTACT WITH A POWER LINE POLE GUIDE WIRE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FLY UNDER A SET OF POWER LINES WHILE SPRAYING  A CORNFIELD.    THE AIRCRAFTS WINDSHIELD AND INSTRUMENT CONSOLE STRUCK THE GUIDE WIRE AT 20 FT AGL CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. WITNESSES WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT, REMOVED THE PILOT FROM THE WRECKAGE BEFORE IT WAS PARTIALLY CONSUMED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE.

AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS WEARING A FLIGHT HELMET, HOWEVER DUE TO THE SEVERE IMPACT WITH THE SURFACE  THE FLIGHT HELMET WAS SEPARATED FROM THE PILOT CAUSING ADDITIONAL HEAD INJURIES.  IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE PILOT HAD FASTENED THE CHINSTRAP ON THE FLIGHT HELMET.   THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## 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 WPR14CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA296), Jul 18, 2014: Bell 47G 2A (N47DT), Merced, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering.

## Other reports on N47DT (1)

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

- [Incident 19900716064479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900716064479I), Jul 16, 1990: Bell 47G (N47DT), Union Springs, AL, Minor damage. Aircraft did not respond to rudder control on landing. Landed hard damaging gear skids.

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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