# Accident 20160429005499A: Bell 47G-5, San Ardo, CA, April 29, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 29, 2016, 07:25 local time
- Place: San Ardo, CA
- Airport: Mesa Del Rey
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: LSHG
- Location: 36.0072° N, 120.8789° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0072&lon=-120.8789&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6288N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6288N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 47G-5 (registry code 1181032, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (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-5
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 7,500 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR16LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA099) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160429005499A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 29, 2016, NEAR SAN ARDO, CA, N6288N, A BELL 47G-5, SPRAYING A FIELD WITH PESTICIDE, ENTERED A LEFT TURN AND LEVELED OFF. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SHAKING AFTER THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG. PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT THEN BECAME HARD TO CONTROL LATERALLY AND TRIED TO LAND. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED ON ITS SIDE AND THE TAIL HIT A BERM.

## 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 WPR16LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA099), Apr 29, 2016: Bell 47G 5 (N6288N), San Ardo, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pin in the outboard end of the lateral flight control torque tube.

## Other reports on N6288N (1)

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

- [Accident 19870628027489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870628027489A), Jun 28, 1987: Bell 47G5 (N6288N), Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the helicopter made a hard landing. Fuel gauge malfunction a factor.

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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