# NTSB LAX95LA113: Bell 47G-5, N1309X, Sonoma, CA, February 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 1995, 07:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Sonoma, CA - Coordinates: 38.239799, -122.45906 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2398&lon=-122.4591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29037 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29037/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA113 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his decision to fly with an inadequately cleaned bubble which partially obstructed his vision. Sun glare was an additional factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - window,canopy - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION HE OBSERVED MOISTURE (DEW) PRESENT ON THE BUBBLE OF HIS HELICOPTER. HE DID NOT HAVE TOWELS, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO WIPE THE BUBBLE CLEAN USING HIS HANDS. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED BYSTANDERS APPROACHING, SO HE DECIDED TO TAKE OFF AWAY FROM THEIR POSITION, AND HE FLEW INTO TELEPHONE WIRES. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE SUN WAS IN FRONT OF HIM WHICH ALSO RESTRICTED HIS FLIGHT VISIBILITY. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 1995, at 0745 Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G- 5, N1309X, operated by North Coast Helicopter Services, Inc., collided with a wire during initial climb from near Sonoma, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. On February 23, 1995, the pilot's wife reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that, at the time of the accident, the pilot was planning to fly to a nearby field where loaders were standing by to place chemicals in the helicopter for a planned agricultural spray flight. The field was an estimated 1/4 mile away. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1, he made a statement regarding the sequence of events prior to and during the flight, summarized as follows: "I got the helicopter ready to fly (untied the blades and skids, performed a preflight, checked oil, etc.). By then my crew had departed with the truck and went to the loading site, so I did not have towels to wipe the dew off the bubble. I did the best I could with my hands which still left quite a lot of droplets on the plastic. The sun was in front of me which made the visibility more restricted. I thought I could see well enough to make the short flight to the rig. Because there was a small crowd of people on my left side, I took off to my right away from the people and hit phone wires about 100 feet from the trailer. I never saw the wires because of the moisture on the bubble." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1309X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1309X-2000-04-19), registration cancelled 2000-04-19, S/N 7818 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7818 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: North Coast Helicopter Service - Registered owner: North Coast Helicopter Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Destination: CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,900 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °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 19950220002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950220002109A), Feb 20, 1995: Bell 47G5, Sonoma, CA, Substantial damage. Moisture on bubble and blinded by sun. Struck wires on takeoff. ## Other investigations on N1309X (1) 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 LAX96LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA093), Jan 12, 1996: Bell 47-G5 (N1309X), Pope Valley, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot misjudged the clearance between the broadcaster and the truck resulting in the broadcaster's cables becoming entangled with the 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. --- 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.