# NTSB LAX93LA021: Bell 47G2, N919SF, Gonzales, CA, October 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1992, 07:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Gonzales, CA
- Coordinates: 36.539203, -121.390625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5392&lon=-121.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - object - wire,static
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PILOT/OBSERVER COMPLETED A SPRAYING OPERATION AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER IN AN OPEN FIELD.  THE PILOT THEN DECIDED TO BACK UP.  WHEN BACKING UP THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SOME WIRES AND CRASHED.  THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING CYCLIC CONTROL PROBLEMS.  THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.  THE PILOT OBSERVER DID NOT REPORT ANY FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N919SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N919SF-2000-12-28), registration cancelled 2000-12-28, S/N 1695 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1695
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Gomes Farm Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gomes Farm Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1992, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,445 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 7,445 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 135° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19921031044439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921031044439A), Oct 31, 1992: Bell 47G2, Gonzales, CA, Substantial damage. Reposition ag helicopter. Lifted to hover. Drifted backwards. Tail rotor struck wires. Blamed controls. No defects.

## Other investigations on N919SF (3)

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 LAX97LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA248), Jul 21, 1997: Bell 47G-2 (N919SF), Buttonwillow, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from a utility pole (obstruction) during aerial application. The obstruction was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX75DUQ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75DUQ22), Jan 25, 1975: Bell 47G-2 (N919SF), Arroyo Grande, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX72FUM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUM17), Jan 1, 1972: Bell 47G-2 (N919SF), Chula Vista, CA, 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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