# Accident 20260601005489A: Bell 47G-2, Mettler, CA, June 1, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 1, 2026, 16:30 local time
- Place: Mettler, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: CBDG
- Location: 35.0600° N, 119.0300° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0600&lon=-119.0300&mi=10
- Aircraft: N88755, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88755) (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 47G-2
- Reported engine: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 9,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA207) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260601005489A

## Narrative

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

DURING PART 137 AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS, THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON AN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT TRUCK FOR LOADING. AFTER LOADING, THE PILOT INITIATED TAKEOFF WHILE THE LOADING HOSE REMAINED CONNECTED. THE PILOT MAINTAINED CONTROL BRIEFLY WHILE THE GROUND CREW DISCONNECTED THE HOSE; HOWEVER, ROTOR RPM DECAYED, AND THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO ACHIEVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. THE PILOT MANEUVERED AWAY FROM THE GROUND CREW AND SUPPORT TRUCK BEFORE IMPACTING TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE LOADING SITE. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

## 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 WPR26LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA207), Jun 1, 2026: Bell 47G-2 (N88755), Mettler, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to ensure the loading hose had been disconnected before takeoff, which resulted in an interrupted takeoff and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…

## Other reports on N88755 (2)

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

- [Accident 19780615020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780615020569A), Jun 15, 1978: Bell 47G2 (N88755), St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Fuel gauge inop.
- [Accident 19751018036449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751018036449A), Oct 18, 1975: Bell 47G2 (N88755), Sauget, IL, Substantial damage. Fld covered with 10-12FT weeds.

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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