# NTSB LAX85LVM03: Bell 47G-2, N4227B, Watsonville, CA, March 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 07:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.949733, -121.720344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9497&lon=-121.7203&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): 24857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LVM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVM03

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE INTENDED TO CLIMB OVER A PWR LINE AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN, HOWEVER, A TAILWIND GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT COULD NOT OBTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE LINE. THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THE LINE UNAWARE OF A LOWER LINE WHICH EXISTED. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE LINE, DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4227B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4227B-1996-02-02), registration cancelled 1996-02-02, S/N 155 (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: 155
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1O 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicair Ag, Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicair Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1985, 444 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,862 total, 6,228 in this make and model, 10,725 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 17 nm away

## 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 19850330014299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330014299A), Mar 30, 1985: Bell 47G2, Watsonville, CA, Destroyed. With a gust of tailwind, decided he could not clear 50 foot high powerlines. Went under, hit lower line.

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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