# NTSB LAX82DA051: Bell 47G-2, N10194, Watsonville, CA, January 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1982, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.94944, -121.719779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9494&lon=-121.7198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA051

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PRECEDING SPRAY OPERATION, THE PILOT NOTED THAT SOME OF THE SPRAY NOZZLES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE FLUSHED THE TANKS WITH FRESH WATER AND PARTIALLY REFILLED THEM WITH WATER TO PERFORM AN AIRBORNE NOZZLE CHECK. WHILE PERFORMING THE CHECK AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL, HE BECAME ENGROSSED IN VISUALLY CHECKING THE BOOM NOZZLES. HE DID NOT NOTICE A TELEPHONE LINE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID STRIKING IT. AFTER SEVERING THE LINE, THE PILOT MADE AN IMMEDIATE LANDING IN A MUDDY FIELD. WHILE LANDING IN A NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10194](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10194-1988-07-27), registration cancelled 1988-07-27, S/N 1056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1056
- Airframe hours: 7080
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Kenneth L. Mason
- Registered owner: Helicair Inc.
- Departed: WATSONVILLE, CA
- Destination: WATSONVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 15,695 total, 4,640 in this make and model, 15,543 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 124 °F

## 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 19820123001799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820123001799A), Jan 23, 1982: Bell 47G2, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Testing spray nozzles with water , flew into a telephone line. Tail low emergency landing severed tail boom.

## Other investigations on N10194 (5)

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 LAX84LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA131), Jan 4, 1984: Bell 47G-2 (N10194), Watsonville, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX73DVA30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DVA30), Nov 30, 1972: Bell 47G-2 (N10194), Richgrove, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK71FVA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVA10), Jul 20, 1970: Bell 47G-2 (N10194), Exeter, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA70D0072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0072), Aug 31, 1969: Bell 47G-2 (N10194), Wilder, ID, destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X1119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1119), Mar 31, 1964: Bell 47G2 (N10194), Walla Walla, WA, 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.

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