# NTSB LAX04CA121: Bell 47-G3B2, N8AG, Salome, AZ, February 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2004, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Salome, AZ - Coordinates: 33.613334, -113.623886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6133&lon=-113.6239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA121 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from trees while approaching the landing zone. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - high wind - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter collided with a tree while attempting to land. The pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to his departure. The briefer reported turbulent winds in the area but indicated that he did not believe there would be gusty wind conditions in the intended landing area. The landing zone was a paved area about 200 feet wide and 300 feet long surrounded by trees, with a hill located to the north. The pilot said that while making the approach, about 25 feet above ground level, a "violent" gust of wind turned the helicopter 90 degrees to the left, and flipped it on its side. The helicopter impacted a tree. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 11, 2004, about 1030 mountain standard time, a Bell 47-G3B2, N8AG, collided with a tree while attempting to land near Salome, Arizona. The helicopter was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed from the Wickenburg, Arizona, area about 0930, with a planned destination of a landing zone near Salome. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he obtained a weather briefing prior to his departure. The briefer reported turbulent winds in the area but indicated that he did not believe there would be gusty wind conditions in the intended landing area. The pilot had planned to meet a fuel truck at the landing zone. The landing zone was a paved area about 200 feet wide and 300 feet long surrounded by trees, with a hill located to the north. The pilot attempted to land on a northerly heading because of a slight headwind. He stated that while making the approach, about 25 feet above ground level, a "violent" gust of wind turned the helicopter 90 degrees to the left, and flipped it on its side. The helicopter impacted a tree. He does not normally fly in winds more than 15 miles per hour; however, because the briefer told him that he didn't think there would be gusty winds in the area, the pilot opted to initiate the flight. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8AG-2005-08-15), registration cancelled 2005-08-15, S/N 6606, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47-G3B2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 6606 - Engines: Lycoming TV0-435 Serie reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Wickenburg, AZ - Destination: Salome, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,320 total, 1,030 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 85; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040211007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040211007429A), Feb 11, 2004: Bell 47G3B2, Quartzite, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) During an approach to a landing site off airport for refueling, the helicopter was overtaken by gusty winds. The tail struck the ground which caused a… 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.