# NTSB LAX96LA263: Bell 47G3, N154PG, Wasco, CA, July 6, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1996, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Wasco, CA
- Coordinates: 35.639175, -119.440322 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6392&lon=-119.4403&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 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA263

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate engine rpm during an aerial application flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while spraying a cotton field he failed to maintain adequate engine rpm.  The helicopter settled into the field, the spray boom contacted the ground, control was lost, and a main rotor severed the tail boom. The pilot further reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures precipitated the accident.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 1996, at 0835 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G3, N154PG, operated by G. K. Lewis Aviation, Bakersfield, California, crashed into a cotton field during an aerial application flight near Wasco, California.  The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the local area flight which began at 0530 from Shafter, California.

The pilot reported that during the morning he had made several spray runs over the designated field.  The last takeoff was made from the bed of a truck at 0833.  The first two spray passes over the field were uneventful.  The accident occurred during the third pass.

The pilot stated that during the flight he "got behind the RPM," and the helicopter settled into the cotton field.  While attempting to increase engine power, the side of the spray boom impacted the field, control was lost, and a main rotor blade severed the tail boom.  The plot further reported that no mechanical malfunctions or failures precipitated the accident.

In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he not allowed the rpm to get low, and by keeping ahead of the rpm all the time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N154PG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N154PG-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 6658, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G3
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-3B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-3b-1) (registry code 1181028) (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: 6658
- Airframe hours: 8690
- 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: Annual, July 2, 1996, 13 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 220 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19960706016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960706016309A), Jul 6, 1996: Bell 47G3B1, Wasco, CA, Substantial damage. During spray run allowed rotor speed decay. Settled into cotton. Spray boom caught on plants. Rotor chopped tail.

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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