- Date
- July 7, 2009, 05:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place
- Ocean Shores, WA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8169JBell 47G-3B-2
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Status
- Completed · report October 19, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20090707011879A
- Case key
- 74212
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 NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering due to the pilot's diverted attention.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.
Analysis
While maneuvering low over the harbor for an aerial application flight the pilot directed his attention inside of the helicopter to program the global positioning system (GPS). Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the water in a level upright position. Despite the pilot's control inputs the engine lost power and the helicopter slowly started to settle and roll onto its left side. The helicopter's main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and the main rotor head assembly were damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that while maneuvering low over the harbor for an aerial application flight he directed his attention inside of the helicopter to program the global positioning system (GPS). Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the water in a level upright position. Despite the pilot's control inputs the engine lost power and the helicopter slowly started to settle and roll onto its left side. The helicopter's main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and the main rotor head assembly were damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8169J
- Reported as
- Bell 47G-3B-2
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 6775
- Airframe hours
- 10,307
- Engine
- Allison 250 SER, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Farm & Forest Helicopter Service Inc
- Registered owner
- Farm & Forest Helicopter Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · June 8, 2009 · 14 hours before
- Departed
- KW04 · Ocean Shores, WA
- Destination
- KW04 · Ocean Shores, WA
- Airport
- KW04 · Ocean Shores Municipal Airport
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
- 59
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- October 20, 2008
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 16,000 total · 10,000 in this make and model · 16,000 as pilot in command · 150 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dawn
- Wind
- 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature
- 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at
- HQM, 7 nm away
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 534 KB in all.
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 N8169J · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.