# NTSB CEN16LA161: Bell 47G-2A, N64702, Los Fresnos, TX, April 21, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2016, 11:12 local (16:12 UTC) - Place: Los Fresnos, TX - Coordinates: 26.071666, -97.476387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0717&lon=-97.4764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 93052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to see and avoid the power lines because of trees obscuring his view. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the operator, the commercial pilot of the helicopter was performing an aerial application flight when the helicopter struck a set of power lines that ran perpendicular to the field being sprayed. The operator stated that the lines were obscured due to trees. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2016, about 1112 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A, N64702, collided with power lines, impacted terrain, and caught fire near Los Fresnos, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc, Rochelle, Illinois, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Weslaco, Texas, at an undetermined time.The following account of the accident is based up a report submitted by the operator because the pilot was seriously injured and was in the hospital: The pilot was spraying a cotton field between two sets of power lines that ran parallel to his flight path. The helicopter struck a third set of power lines that ran perpendicular to the field being sprayed. The power lines were obscured by trees. A ground fire erupted after the accident, resulting in the helicopter being destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64702](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64702), registered now, S/N 2706, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435-A1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-a1f) (registry code 42200, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2706 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 12920 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A2F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2016 - Departed: Weslaco, TX - Destination: Weslaco, TX - Equipment: Onboard weather, Data recorder, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,605 total, 120 in this make and model, 5,284 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KMFE, 51 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160421008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160421008359A), Apr 21, 2016: Bell 47G-2A, Los Fresnos, TX, Destroyed. On April 21, 2016, while spraying a cotton field the aircraft, Bell 47, N64702, hit two power service lines and crashed. The aircraft crashed approximately 50… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93052. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Three Dimensional Drawing of a Bell 47G-2A Helicopter (item 2, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Three%20Dimensional%20Drawing%20of%20a%20Bell%2047G-2A%20Helicopter-Master.PDF - Report Photos (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20Photos-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.