LAX01LA276

During the aerial application flight, the pilot completed a spray run and was returning to the truck when he flew into a wire in the middle of the field, at 15 feet above the ground. Thereafter, he lost control of the helicopter and it crashed coming to rest on its right side. Prior to the mishap, the pilot had observed poles in the area, but had not observed the line that he collided with during the low altitude pass. No mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the operation of the helicopter were indicated.

On August 11, 2001, about 0603 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N4262Y, owned and operated by Moore Aviation, Inc., Tulare, California, impacted a power line and crashed into a field near Strathmore, California. Visual meteorological conditions existed during the aerial application flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 137. The helicopter was destroyed, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Strathmore about 0555.

The pilot reported that he had finished performing a spray run and was returning to the truck when he flew into a wire in the middle of the field, at 15 feet above the ground. Thereafter, he lost control of the helicopter and it crashed in the field coming to rest on its right side.

The operator reported that prior to the mishap, the pilot had observed poles in the area but had not observed the line that he collided with during the low altitude pass. No mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the operation of the helicopter were reported.