# NTSB LAX96LA093: Bell 47-G5, N1309X, Pope Valley, CA, January 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 11, 1996, 16:00 local (Jan 12, 1996, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Pope Valley, CA - Coordinates: 38.669467, -122.439117 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6695&lon=-122.4391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29366/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA093 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the clearance between the broadcaster and the truck resulting in the broadcaster's cables becoming entangled with the truck. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering - aerial application equipment - entangled (cause) - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot had hovered the helicopter over the loading platform and lowered the broadcaster (bucket) onto the platform for reloading. After the ground crew loaded the broadcaster, the pilot turned the helicopter and began to depart. The broadcaster cables became entangled with the truck and the helicopter descended, uncontrolled, and crashed. ## Factual narrative On January 11, 1996, at 1600 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell 47-G5 helicopter, N1309X, crashed shortly after reloading a fertilizer broadcaster (bucket) from a loading platform near Pope Valley, California, while in a hover. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules external load aerial application flight. The helicopter, registered to and operated by North Coast Helicopter Service, Napa, California, was destroyed by impact forces and the postimpact fire. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot had completed numerous aerial application flights and the departure time on the accident flight was not determined. A ground witness told a Napa County Sheriff's deputy that the pilot returned from the field and hovered the helicopter over the loading platform. He lowered the broadcaster and the ground crew loaded it with fertilizer. He said that the pilot raised the broadcaster and then turned the helicopter toward the downhill slope. The witness said that as the helicopter began to depart, a strong gust of wind pushed the helicopter back toward the loading platform and the cable from the broadcaster caught the edge of the truck. The helicopter made an abrupt left turn and descended to the ground and exploded. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Sacramento [California] Flight Standards District Office conducted the on-scene investigation. The inspector reported confirmed the ground witnesses statement that the helicopter's cables became entangled with the truck. He said that the surface winds were calm. He also said that the postaccident investigation disclosed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures. The Napa County Sheriff/Coroner's Office conducted the post mortem examination on the pilot. Toxicology examinations were not performed because of the unavailability of suitable specimens. ## 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 47-G5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7818 - Airframe hours: 8933 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: North Coast Helicopter Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 28, 1995 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19960111029949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960111029949A), Jan 11, 1996: Bell 47G5, Pope Valley, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (.4)The pilot had hovered the helicopter over the loading platform and lowered the broadcaster (bucket) onto the platform for reloading. After the ground crew… ## 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 LAX95LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA113), Feb 20, 1995: Bell 47G-5 (N1309X), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage. 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… 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.