# NTSB LAX98LA197: Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, Shafter, CA, June 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1998, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Shafter, CA - Coordinates: 35.489688, -119.300666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4897&lon=-119.3007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA197 ## Probable cause The aircraft's encounter with settling with power, which resulted from the pilot's decision to perform a steep downwind approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - settling with power - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a steep downwind approach to the landing pad and the helicopter entered into settling with power (vortex ring state). He reported that he was at too low an altitude to recover and the helicopter impacted the terrain about 500 feet west of the intended landing zone. The main rotor blades severed the tail boom. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident, but stated that he should have made a shallower approach. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1998, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, experienced a hard landing at the Shafter-Minter Aiport in Shafter, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural operation. The pilot reported that he made a normal takeoff to the northwest and climbed to approximately 300 feet agl. He then made a 180-degree turn back toward the landing area and initiated a "steeper than normal" approach to land. The helicopter began to settle with power, and the pilot reported that he was at too low an altitude to recover. The helicopter impacted the ground approximately 500 feet west of the intended landing zone and the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident, but stated that he should have made a shallower approach. The winds were from a direction of 280 degrees at a velocity of 9 knots. The approach was made to an approximate direction of 120 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N110DT-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 7631, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-4A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7631 - Airframe hours: 9903 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Inland Crop Dusting - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1998, 98 hours before - Departed: MIT, SHAFTER, CA - Airport: MIT, Shafter-Minter ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 6,940 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BFL, 10 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 19980614013369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980614013369A), Jun 14, 1998: Bell 47G4A, Shafter, CA, Substantial damage. Bell 47G-4A helicopter made a hard landing and tipped over on its nose. St. petersburg, FL.(.4) on June 14, 1998, at 1530 hours pacific daylight time, a Bell… ## Other investigations on N110DT (2) 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 LAX05LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA187), May 25, 2005: Bell 47G-4A (N110DT), Bakersfield, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. - [NTSB LAX01LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA196), May 31, 2001: Bell 47G-4A (N110DT), Buttonwillow, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude… 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.