# NTSB LAX95LA214: Bell 47G-2, N115B, Nipomo, CA, June 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1995, 10:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: Nipomo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.050498, -120.479606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0505&lon=-120.4796&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 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA214

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper handling of the helicopter by her failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the attempted maneuver resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING A MANEUVERING TURN AND COLLIDED WITH A CULTIVATED FIELD DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OF A CATEGORY II FUNGICIDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A DOWNWIND CONDITION DURING THE TURN AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER HAD ABOUT 50 GALLONS OF FUNGICIDE ONBOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WITH THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 1995, at 1017 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N115B, collided with the ground following an in-flight loss of control during aerial application of a Category II fungicide on a celery field near Nipomo, California.  The helicopter was being operated by English Air Service under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  The helicopter was destroyed.  The airline transport pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

According to the operator, the helicopter was in a downwind condition during a maneuvering turn and settled to the ground.  The accident occurred during the second pass on the second run of the day.  The operator estimated the helicopter had approximately 50 gallons of fungicide onboard at the time of the accident.

The pilot indicated on the Pilot/Operator Accident Report, that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115B-1999-07-08), registration cancelled 1999-07-08, S/N 35 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 35
- Airframe hours: 8567
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: English Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1995, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,900 total, 100 in this make and model, 11,721 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX, 9 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 19950618017359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618017359A), Jun 18, 1995: Bell 47G2, Nipomo, CA, Destroyed. Lost control during turn around spraying fungicide. Turn was downwind. Settled to ground impact.

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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