# NTSB LAX84LA131: Bell 47G-2, N10194, Watsonville, CA, January 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1984, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.949523, -121.719001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9495&lon=-121.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA131

## 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
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD WHEN HE APCHD A STANDPIPE. HE APPLIED CONTROL PRESSURE TO AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION, BUT THE OUTER 3 INCHES OF THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE STANDPIPE. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 25 FT BEYOND THE STANDPIPE & WAS FURTHER DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO FLYING A HELICOPTER WITH LONGER SPRAY BOOMS & THAT THE SHORT BOOMS ON THIS ACFT WERE NOT AS GOOD FOR REFERENCE.

## 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: 7839
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicare Ag, Inc.
- Registered owner: David F. Willoughby
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 18,248 total, 5,670 in this make and model, 18,125 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 25 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 19840104000219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840104000219A), Jan 4, 1984: Bell 47G2, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Spray boom struck a stand pipe during a spray run. Crash landed.

## 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 LAX82DA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA051), Jan 23, 1982: 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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