# NTSB LAX97LA006: Bell 47G-5A, N8135J, King City, CA, October 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1996, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: King City, CA - Coordinates: 36.199581, -120.940879 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1996&lon=-120.9409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29654/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA006 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the takeoff initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise - object - wire,transmission - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command - Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to the pilot, he refilled his restricted category helicopter with 80 gallons of defoliant and proceeded to take off from a farm field adjacent to a country road. He had made two previous departures from the same location and was aware of nearby power lines. During the climb over the power lines, the pilot allowed the engine, rotor rpm, and airspeed to decrease. The pilot further indicated that he attempted to regain airspeed and rpm by lowering the nose of the helicopter. His efforts were not successful, and the helicopter made a hard touchdown in the field. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1996, at 1140 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-5A, N8135J, crashed into a field near King City, California, during an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from King City about 0700. According to the pilot, he refilled his restricted category helicopter with 80 gallons of defoliant and proceeded to take off from a farm field adjacent to a country road. He had made two previous departures from the same location and was aware of nearby power lines. During the climb over the power lines, the pilot allowed the engine, rotor rpm, and the airspeed to decrease. The pilot further indicated that he attempted to regain airspeed and rpm by lowering the nose of the helicopter. His efforts were not successful, and the helicopter made a hard touchdown in the field. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure occurred during the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8135J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8135J), registered now, S/N 25060, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5a) (registry code 1181034) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 25060 - Airframe hours: 10602 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Soilserve, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1996, 22 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,213 total, 2,025 in this make and model, 2,190 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 190 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19961007031299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961007031299A), Oct 7, 1996: Bell 47G5A, King City, CA, Substantial damage. During climb over power lines allowed rotor engine and airspeed decay. Unable correct. Settled with power to 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. --- 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.