# NTSB LAX84LA464: Bell 47G-5, N4096G, Watsonville, CA, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1984, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950786, -121.719413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9508&lon=-121.7194&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): 24389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA464
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA464

## 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)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT MANEUVERED DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT TO AVOID HIGH TENSION WIRES AND COLLIDED WITH LOWER TELEPHONE LINES.THE PLT SAID THE WINDS WERE GUSTY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4096G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4096G), registered now, S/N 7906, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7906
- Airframe hours: 3806
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Siolserv, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,616 total, 2,019 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840829044389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840829044389A), Aug 29, 1984: Bell 47G5, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Struck telephone wires trying to miss a powerline during aerial application procedures.

## Other investigations on N4096G (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 MIA71FLD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLD10), Aug 17, 1970: Bell 47G-5 (N4096G), Frostproof, FL, destroyed

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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