# NTSB LAX95LA213: Bell 47-G2A, N73260, Bakersfield, CA, June 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1995, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.5391, -118.9094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5391&lon=-118.9094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA213

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate lateral clearance from the irrigation standpipe while applying chemicals to a field.

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

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS APPLYING CHEMICALS TO A COTTON FIELD AND MISJUDGED HIS DISTANCE FROM A 20-FOOT-TALL IRRIGATION STANDPIPE.  THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE STANDPIPE AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE FIELD.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 1995, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47-G2A helicopter, N73260, collided with an irrigation standpipe while engaged in aerial application operations near Bakersfield, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Lewis Aviation of Shafter, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at Shafter on the morning of the accident at 0830 as a local aerial application flight.

In his written and verbal statements the pilot said he was applying chemicals to a cotton field and misjudged his distance from a 20-foot-tall irrigation standpipe.  The main rotor contacted the standpipe and the helicopter crashed into the field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73260](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73260-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 2725, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47-G2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2725
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gerald K. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: MIT, SHAFTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 17,500 total, 16,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 13 nm away

## 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 19950618017379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618017379A), Jun 18, 1995: Bell 47G2A, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Main rotors struck irrigation standpipe while spraying a field. Crashed into field.

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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