# NTSB LAX93LA157: Bell 47G5, N7080J, Greenfield, CA, March 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1993, 06:47 local (14:47 UTC)
- Place: Greenfield, CA
- Coordinates: 36.259445, -121.369461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2594&lon=-121.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN.

## 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,static
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING UNDER A DIAGONAL SET OF POWERLINES IN THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF THE FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER CLEARING THE DIAGONAL SET AT THE FIELD BOUNDARY HE PULLED UP TO AVOID ANOTHER SET OF LINES; HOWEVER, HE FAILED TO CLEAR THE UPPERMOST WIRE. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE WIRE, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7080J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7080J-2005-08-16), registration cancelled 2005-08-16, S/N 25026, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G5
- 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: 25026
- Airframe hours: 16021
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Soilserv, Inc.
- Registered owner: Soilserv, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1993, 2 hours before
- Departed: KIC, KING CITY, CA
- Destination: KIC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,789 total, 9,624 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930320005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930320005709A), Mar 20, 1993: Bell 47G5, Greenfield, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with powerline on pullup from a spray run.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.