# NTSB LAX83LA184: Bell 47G-3B-1, N1397X, Delano, CA, April 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1983, 07:01 local (15:01 UTC)
- Place: Delano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.779682, -119.229049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7797&lon=-119.2290&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): 23673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA184

## 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)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND TREES WHILE APPLYING PESTICIDE TO AN ORCHARD. THE PILOT WAS FLYING INTO THE RISING SUN AND FAILED TO SEE THE POWER LINE WHICH SERVICED AN AGRICULTURAL DEEP WELL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1397X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1397X), registered now, S/N 6585, built 1966 (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: 6585
- Airframe hours: 5499
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-BIB 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Agri Fly Serv-Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1983, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,560 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 11,450 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °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 19830408011959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830408011959A), Apr 8, 1983: Bell 47G3B1, Delano, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter hit powerlines causing substantial damage during spraying operation.

## Other investigations on N1397X (4)

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 MIA96LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA235), Sep 29, 1996: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Borinquen, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft while hover taxing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and a tailwind.
- [NTSB MIA91LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA217), Sep 15, 1991: Bell 47G-3B-1 (N1397X), Penuelas, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADVERTENT CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY A PASSENGER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ROLL OVER AFTER TOUCHDOWN.
- [NTSB DEN73AD015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD015), Oct 3, 1972: Bell 47G3B1 (N1397X), Hayden, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0020), Oct 12, 1967: Bell 47G-3B (N1397X), Silverthorne, CO, 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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