- Date
- June 2, 1989, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place
- Buena, WA
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N41721Bell 47G-2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 2, 1990
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19890602014149A
- Case key
- 41023
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance to avoid the power lines.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During an aerial application maneuver, the helicopter collided with power lines and subsequently the terrain. A post crash fire ignited destroying the helicopter.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N41721
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 815
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-435-A1B, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Valicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Valicopters
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 23, 1989
- Departed
- Buena, WA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 28
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,400 total · 725 in this make and model · 1,300 as pilot in command · 100 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N41721 · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.