# NTSB LAX02LA262: Bell 47G-2, N8478H, Oasis, CA, August 25, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2002, 18:40 local (Aug 25, 2002, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Oasis, CA
- Coordinates: 33.45, -116.099998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-116.1000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA262

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The helicopter collided with power lines while conducting an aerial application flight.  The local weather conditions were clear skies and 10 statute miles visibility.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 2002, at 1840 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2, N8478H, collided with power lines during aerial application maneuvering near Oasis, California.  The helicopter, operated by Salton Sea Air Services under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation, sustained substantial damage.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed.  The helicopter departed from a private strip near the accident site, and was scheduled to terminate at the private strip.

In a written statement provided by the pilot, he stated that he was working for a local citrus nursery when he "hit some power lines."

The weather conditions in the local area at the time of the accident were clear skies and 10 statute miles visibility.

The pilot had accumulated a total of 19,950 flight hours, of which 710 hours were accumulated in helicopters.  All of his helicopter flight time was in the Bell 47.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8478H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8478H), registered now, S/N 2214, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2214
- Airframe hours: 13406
- Engines: Lycoming UO 435-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Salton Sea Air Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2002, 208 hours before
- Departed: Oasis, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 19,950 total, 710 in this make and model, 19,750 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 10 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 20020824021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020824021989A), Aug 24, 2002: Bell 47G2, North Shore, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The operator of a Bell 47-G2 (N8478H, serial number 2214) struck power lines with his tail rotor while making a final pass during an aerial application…

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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