# NTSB LAX00LA100: Bell 47G5, N4754R, Riverbank, CA, February 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2000, 16:28 local (Feb 16, 2000, 00:28 UTC) - Place: Riverbank, CA - Coordinates: 37.729251, -120.95021 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7293&lon=-120.9502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48672/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA100 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to verify that ground personnel had disconnected the loading hose from the hopper before takeoff, resulting in restricted directional control and a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - aircraft service - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - equipment,other - not removed, ground personnel - directional control - restricted, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - shifted - fuel system,line - ruptured - fluid,fuel grade - leak - exhaust system - fire ## Analysis The pilot had landed to refill the aircraft's hopper from a truck-mounted re-supply tank. After refilling the hopper, the ground support person did not remove the loading hose from the hopper and the pilot did not verify that the hose had been removed before takeoff. After takeoff, the helicopter was pulled to the left as the hose became taught and finally snapped. The pilot applied right pedal to regain forward attitude but the helicopter lost main rotor speed and abruptly settled to the ground. The main rotor blades flapped down, striking the ground, and shattering the cockpit bubble. The lower Sprague system separated as the aircraft contacted the ground, shifting the main rotor mast. This shift moved the fuel tank and ruptured the main fuel line. The fuel spilled onto the exhaust system, resulting in a fire. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2000, at 1628 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G5, N4754R, crashed and burned during takeoff from an agricultural landing site at Riverbank, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was being operated by Greenbelt Aviation as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had landed to refill the aircraft's hopper from a truck-mounted re-supply tank. After refilling the hopper, the pilot instructed the ground support person to reposition the truck to the next work site. The ground support person did not remove the loading hose from the hopper and the pilot did not verify that the hose had been removed before takeoff. After takeoff, the helicopter flew about 20 to 30 feet before it was pulled to the left as the hose became taught and finally snapped. The pilot applied right pedal to regain forward attitude but, as he did so, the helicopter lost main rotor speed and abruptly settled to the ground. The main rotor blades flapped down, striking the ground, and shattering the cockpit bubble. The lower Sprague system separated as the aircraft contacted the ground, shifting the main rotor mast. This shift moved the fuel tank and ruptured the main fuel line. The fuel spilled onto the exhaust system and a fire began. After the blades stopped, the pilot exited the helicopter through the broken bubble. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4754R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4754R-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 7924, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G5 - 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: 7924 - Airframe hours: 7203 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-B1A 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Greenbelt Aviation, doing business as Greenbelt Aviation - Registered owner: Rodger L. Ainsworth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1999, 20 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,513 total, 2,730 in this make and model, 5,363 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 142 °F, dew point 113 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MOD, 8 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 20000215010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000215010329A), Feb 15, 2000: Bell 47G5, Riverbank, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Timothy allen wells was acting as pilot in command of a Bell helicopter model BHT-47-G5, N4754R, engaged inthe aerial argicultural chemical… ## Other investigations on N4754R (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 OAK74FVM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVM08), Aug 31, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N4754R), Santa Clara, CA, substantial damage 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.