# NTSB LAX95LA100: Bell 47G-3B, N73240, China Lake, CA, February 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1995, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: China Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 35.54964, -117.669044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5496&lon=-117.6690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA100

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgement of the clearance between the main rotor and a tree while maneuvering at low altitude to herd animals.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS HERDING HORSES FOR A BLM CONTRACT IN A DESERT AREA AND PERFORMED A DESCENDING TURN IN FRONT OF THE ANIMALS TO TURN THEM IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. DURING THE TURN, THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A JOSHUA TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On February 7, 1995, about 1100 Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G-3B helicopter, N73240, collided with a Joshua tree while herding horses and burros near the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by High Desert Helicopters of Fallon, Nevada, under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter incurred substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at the Inyokern, California, airport about 0830 hours on the day of the accident.

The pilot said he was herding horses and performed a descending turn in front of the animals to turn them in a different direction.  During the turn, the helicopters main rotor struck a Joshua tree and the aircraft rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73240](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73240), registered now, S/N 2772 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-3B
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b) (registry code 1181026) (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: 2772
- Airframe hours: 2167
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifford J. Heaverne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 3, 1995, 30 hours before
- Departed: IYK, INYOKERN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 27,000 total, 15,000 in this make and model, 26,000 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19950207001429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950207001429A), Feb 7, 1995: Bell 47G3B, China Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Rotors struck a joshua tree during a low turn while herding horses.

## Other investigations on N73240 (2)

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 OAK78DVG65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVG65), Jul 24, 1978: Bell 47G-3B (N73240), Angwin, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX68A0020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0020), Aug 17, 1967: Bell 47G3B1 (N73240), Gilbert, AZ, 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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