# NTSB LAX98LA225: Bell 47G-5, N7914S, Salinas, CA, July 7, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1998, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.759002, -121.65084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7590&lon=-121.6508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA225

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the telephone lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was spraying a field approximately 10 feet agl parallel to telephone lines.  The main rotor blades clipped the telephone lines and the helicopter descended into the ground.  The skids became embedded in a row of irrigation pipes and the aircraft nosed over and came to rest inverted.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 1998, at 0800 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-5, N7914S, impacted a series of telephone lines near Salinas, California, while applying chemicals to a field.  The aircraft was destroyed, and the airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, suffered minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 137 flight, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field approximately 10 feet agl and was flying parallel to a series of telephone lines.  The main rotor blades clipped the telephone lines and the aircraft descended into the ground.  The skids of the helicopter became embedded in a row of irrigation pipes and the helicopter nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7914S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7914S-2017-03-23), registration cancelled 2017-03-23, S/N 7848 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-5
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7848
- Airframe hours: 6700
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435-BIA 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gomes Farms Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1998, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19980707016269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980707016269A), Jul 7, 1998: Bell 47G5, Salinas, CA, Destroyed. Spray run parallel to telephone lines. Main rotor hit wires. Descended to ground. Skids hit pipes. Nosed over. (-23) on the morning of July 5, 1998, at…

## Other investigations on N7914S (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 LAX79FUM20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUM20), Jul 6, 1979: Bell 47G-5 (N7914S), Escondido, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX78DVM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DVM17), Apr 10, 1978: Bell 47G5 (N7914S), Templeton, CA, substantial damage

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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