# NTSB LAX08CA229: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1390X, Shafter, CA, July 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2008, 22:30 local (Jul 15, 2008, 05:30 UTC) - Place: Shafter, CA - Coordinates: 35.452777, -119.342498 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4528&lon=-119.3425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68462/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA229 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the pilot's visual perception. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Lighting system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023300): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023300/cases.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023300/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-3B-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181028), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that a few minutes after taking off for a nighttime agricultural spray flight over an alfalfa field, the ground illumination lights in his helicopter went out. At the time, he was descending and maneuvering close to the ground on a spray run. The pilot reported that he did not see the field before impacting it with the spray boom. The helicopter rolled over and was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that a few minutes after taking off for a nighttime agricultural spray flight over an alfalfa field, the ground illumination lights in his helicopter went out. At the time, he was descending and maneuvering close to the ground. The pilot reported that he did not see the field before impacting it with the spray boom. The helicopter rolled over and was substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1390X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1390X), registered now, S/N 6586 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-3B-1 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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: 6586 - Engines: Lycoming TVO-435 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Slykerman Ag Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: John A. Slykerman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Shafter, CA - Destination: NONE, Shafter, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 10,500 total, 7,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080714840859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080714840859A), Jul 14, 2008: Bell 47G3B1, Shafter, CA, Destroyed. (-23) During agricultural operathions N1390XP was attempting to spray a field at night, when the aircraft suffered an electrical failure, causing the… ## Other investigations on N1390X (1) 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 MIA90LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA125), May 21, 1990: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1390X), Lake Wales, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND A POWER LINE POLE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. 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.