# NTSB LAX83FA087: Bell 47G4, N4262Y, Five Points, CA, February 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1983, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Five Points, CA
- Coordinates: 36.380279, -120.130424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3803&lon=-120.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA087

## 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)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON HIS FINAL PASS OF THE OPERATION. HE FLEW UNDER 2 SETS OF WIRES BUT FAILED TO SEE A THIRD SET. THE SPRAY BOOM CAUGHT ON THE THE WIRE PITCHING THE HELICOPTER NOSE DOWN. THE MAIN ROTOR HIT THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTERCRASHED INTO A CANAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4262Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4262Y), registered now, S/N 7674, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G4
- 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: 7674
- Airframe hours: 7071
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Agro-West
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 1983, 38 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,487 total, 240 in this make and model, 5,487 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °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 19830203002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830203002319A), Feb 3, 1983: Bell 47G4A, Five Points, CA, Destroyed. Flying under wires struck another set of unseen wires on pull up from a spray run. Crashed into a canal.

## Other investigations on N4262Y (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 LAX01LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA276), Aug 11, 2001: Bell 47G-4A (N4262Y), Strathmore, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout 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.

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