# NTSB WPR13CA084: Bell 47G, N14841, Five Points, CA, January 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 3, 2013, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Five Points, CA - Coordinates: 36.199592, -120.089866 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1996&lon=-120.0899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85956/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85956 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA084 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a telephone pole during a low-level maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181034), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Bell 47G-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=1181034), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181034), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=1181034), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181034), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff for the aerial application flight, he made a standard turn to line up with the field to be sprayed and began to descend to fly under two sets of powerlines. He then observed a telephone pole to the right and thought he had plenty of clearance to avoid it. He then heard and felt the impact of a main rotor blade strike the pole. The helicopter yawed to the right before it impacted the ground, rolled forward, and came to rest on its left side. The helicopter was destroyed. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after take off he made a standard turn to line up with the field to be sprayed and began the descent under two sets of powerlines. He then observed a telephone pole to the right and thought he had plenty of clearance to avoid it, but then he heard and felt the impact of a main rotor blade strike the pole. The helicopter yawed to the right before it impacted the ground, rolled forward, and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14841](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14841-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 25080, 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: 25080 - Airframe hours: 2813 - Engines: LYCOMING VO435 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Marquis Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Green Rivers Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 2012, 7 hours before - Departed: Five Point, CA - Destination: Five Point, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 4,423 total, 3,100 in this make and model, 4,253 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: NLC, 16 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 20130103000099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130103000099A), Jan 3, 2013: Bell 47G-5A, Five Points, CA, Substantial damage. On January 3, 2013 a Bell 47G5A was approaching a field to spray a herbicide called "prowl". The aircraft approached the field of new garlic going under the 40… ## Other investigations on N14841 (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 CHI00TA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00TA306), Sep 22, 2000: Bell 47G-5A (N14841), Economy, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting a landing on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the grass covered, down slope in the terrain. - [NTSB MKC78DCD49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCD49), Aug 29, 1978: Bell 47G-5A (N14841), Manson, IA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85956. 851 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 569 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF 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.