# NTSB LAX89DVA03: Bell 47G-3B2, N2918W, Strathmore, CA, February 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1989, 09:41 local (17:41 UTC)
- Place: Strathmore, CA
- Coordinates: 36.140781, -119.090515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1408&lon=-119.0905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA03

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SERVICE VEHICLE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A HOVERING MANEUVER, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE EXTERNAL LOAD SWUNG & SNAGGED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN PULLED DOWN & IT COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PLT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A MINOR HEAD INJURY; A GROUND LOADING ASSISTANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2918W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2918W), registered now, S/N 6822, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-2) (registry code 1181029) (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: N2918W
- Airframe hours: 6983
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agri-Fly Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Agri-Fly Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1989, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890201001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890201001659A), Feb 1, 1989: Bell 47G3B2, Strathmore, CA, Destroyed. Sudden gust of wind pushed sling bucket into loading truck as helicopter tookoff pulling it down onto top of truck.

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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