# Accident 20180228009629A: Bell 47G-5, Pixley, CA, February 28, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 28, 2018, 17:30 local time
- Place: Pixley, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: XF6G
- Location: 35.9364° N, 119.1925° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9364&lon=-119.1925&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7800S, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7800S) (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: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA096) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180228009629A

## Narrative

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

ON FEBRUARY 28, 2018,  N7800S A BELL 47 HELICOPTER OPERATING UNDER PART 137 AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT.  DURING THE INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL DURING ITS LAST PASS DISPENSING PESTICIDES WHILE EN-ROUTE TO THE REFUELING TRUCK. THE PILOT STATED THTA DURRING IT LOADING OF FUNGASIDE HE FORGOT TO TELL THE LOADER TO ADD FUEL. AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE DOING ONE OF ITS PASSES, THE AIRCRAFTS ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED IN THE ALMOND ORCHARD.  THE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH 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 WPR18CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA096), Feb 28, 2018: Bell 47G (N7800S), Pixley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…

## Other reports on N7800S (1)

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

- [Incident 19950803026729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950803026729I), Aug 3, 1995: Bell 47G5 (N7800S), Visalia, CA, Minor damage. Struck electrical pole support cable on a spray run. Remained airborne. Returned to base.

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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