# NTSB GAA20CA034: Bell 47G, N7060J, King City, CA, October 18, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2019, 07:42 local (14:42 UTC) - Place: King City, CA - Coordinates: 36.198055, -121.110275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1981&lon=-121.1103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100451/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100451 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1181032), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181032), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Bell 47G-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1181032), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181032), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he planned to fly over the top of a power pole. He applied full-up collective to climb over the pole, but the helicopter struggled to gain altitude. He added that, after the helicopter cleared the pole, the main rotor speed reduced and the helicopter "quit flying," so he decided to conduct a run-on landing on the field. The helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he planned to fly over the top of the power pole. He applied full up collective to climb over the power lines, but the helicopter struggled to gain altitude. After clearing the pole, the main rotor speed got slow, the helicopter "quit flying", and he decided to conduct a run on landing on the field. The helicopter landed hard and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7060J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7060J), registered now, S/N 25017, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G (5) - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25017 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 9836 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-B1A 265 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wilbur-Ellis Co - Registered owner: Wilbur-Ellis Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 2019 - Departed: King City, CA - Destination: King City, CA - Airport: KIC, Mesa Del Rey - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 25,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSNS, 37 nm away ## Other investigations on N7060J (2) 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 LAX03CA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA285), Sep 13, 2003: Bell 47G-5 (N7060J), Greenfield, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. - [NTSB OAK73FJA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FJA12), Feb 7, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N7060J), Koloa, HI, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100451. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 959 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 4, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.