# NTSB DFW07CA156: Bell 47G-2A, N7878, Mercedes, TX, July 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2007, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Mercedes, TX
- Coordinates: 26.170833, -97.910278
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1708&lon=-97.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Angelo, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66191/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66191
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA156

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission line.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The single-engine helicopter collided with a power line during an aerial application flight.  The 9,212-hour commercial pilot lost control of the helicopter following the collision and the airplane impacted the ground.  The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, was able to egress the helicopter unassisted.  The pilot reported that prior to the collision with the power line, the reciprocating engine helicopter was operating normally, and added that he never saw the power line during the flight prior to impact.

## Factual narrative

The single-engine helicopter collided with a power line during an aerial application flight.  The 9,212-hour commercial pilot lost control of the helicopter following the collision and the airplane impacted the ground.  The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, was able to egress the helicopter unassisted.  The pilot reported that prior to the collision with the power line, the reciprocating engine helicopter was operating normally, and added that he never saw the power line during the flight prior to impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7878](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7878), registered now, S/N 2707, 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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2707
- Airframe hours: 12382
- Engines: Lycoming VO435AIF reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service, doing business as Aerial Application
- Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: T65, WESLACO, TX
- Airport: T65, Mid Valley, runway 13, 4,998 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 9,212 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg

## 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 20070711015999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070711015999A), Jul 11, 2007: Bell 47G2A, Mercedes, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated that while surveying the field that he was about to spray, he hit a guide wire because he didn't see it. Helicopter crashed and burned after…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66191. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40290614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40290616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.

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