# NTSB LAX05LA187: Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, Bakersfield, CA, May 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2005, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.383609, -119.333053 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3836&lon=-119.3331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61582 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61582/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61582 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA187 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. ## 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 - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - 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 and crashed in a cotton field while conducting aerial application operations. The pilot completed his first pass from west to east across the north end of the potato field. As he came in for his second pass, the helicopter struck power lines that ran north and south along the west side of the potato field. The helicopter came down in an adjacent cotton field. The pilot said he saw the power lines just prior to striking them. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2005, about 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, collided with power lines and crashed in a cotton field while conducting aerial application operations near Bakersfield, California. Inland Crop Dusters, Inc., was operating the local area agricultural flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries; the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Shafter Field in Bakersfield at 0700. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 35 degrees 23 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 19 minutes west longitude. In a written statement, the operator said the pilot was conducting aerial application operations over a potato field. The pilot completed his first pass from west to east across the north end of the potato field. As he came in for his second pass, the helicopter struck power lines that ran north and south along the west side of the potato field. The helicopter came down in an adjacent cotton field, lifted back off the ground, flipped over, and hit the ground again, bursting into flames. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representative spoke with the pilot. The pilot stated that he saw the power lines just prior to striking them. The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N110DT-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 7631, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-4A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7631 - Airframe hours: 10128 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Inland Crop Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 2 hours before - Departed: KMIT, Shafter, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: serious; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 3,531 total, 120 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: BFL, 16 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 20050525010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050525010219A), May 25, 2005: Bell 47G4A, Buttonwillow, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot knew that the power lines were near the edge of the field but failed to miss them as he approached the cotton field on his second pass. An… ## Other investigations on N110DT (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 LAX01LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA196), May 31, 2001: Bell 47G-4A (N110DT), Buttonwillow, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude… - [NTSB LAX98LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA197), Jun 14, 1998: Bell 47G-4A (N110DT), Shafter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The aircraft's encounter with settling with power, which resulted from the pilot's decision to perform a steep downwind approach. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2006, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61582. 259 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40235206&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.