# NTSB LAX03CA285: Bell 47G-5, N7060J, Greenfield, CA, September 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 13, 2003, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, CA - Coordinates: 36.328887, -121.221389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3289&lon=-121.2214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57933/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA285 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter collided with power lines during an aerial application. As the pilot was lining up the helicopter in the corner of the lot, the helicopter descended into a wire. The wire wrapped around the mast and control linkages and the helicopter began pitching in an unusual manner. He attempted to level off; however, the controls were unresponsive and the helicopter collided with the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2003, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-5 restricted category helicopter, N7060J, collided with power lines during an aerial application near Greenfield, California. SoilServ, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the local area about 0823. The primary wreckage was at 36 degrees 19.726 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 13.279 minutes west longitude. The pilot reported in a written statement that he was en route to the first field. As he was lining up the helicopter in the corner of the lot, the helicopter descended into a wire that was located outside the boundaries of the field. The helicopter began pitching in an unusual manner. After attempting to level off, he realized the controls were unresponsive and the helicopter collided with the ground. A later inspection by the pilot revealed that the wire had wrapped around the mast and control linkages. ## 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 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Soilserv Inc - Registered owner: Soilserv Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Greenfield, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 6,481 total, 3,600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: SNS ## 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 20030913022749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913022749A), Sep 13, 2003: Bell 47G5, Greenfield, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While performing aerial application, the pilot flew the helicopter through a single wire during descent into the field. The wire wrapped the main rotor… ## 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 GAA20CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA034), Oct 18, 2019: Bell 47G (N7060J), King City, CA, substantial damage. 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. - [NTSB OAK73FJA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FJA12), Feb 7, 1973: Bell 47G-5 (N7060J), Koloa, HI, 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.