# NTSB WPR14CA296: Bell 47G 2A, N47DT, Merced, CA, July 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2014, 07:38 local (14:38 UTC) - Place: Merced, CA - Coordinates: 37.295276, -120.532218 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2953&lon=-120.5322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89689/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89689 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA296 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environment to maintain clearance from the power pole guide wire during low level maneuvering. ## 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-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181012), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator reported that the helicopter struck a power pole guide wire while the pilot was conducting agriculture application operations. The wire was located on the edge of the field that was being sprayed, running perpendicular to the direction of flight. The wire was about 20 feet above ground level. The helicopter was substantially damaged and a post accident fire occurred. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The operator reported that the helicopter struck a power pole guide wire while the pilot was conducting agriculture application operations. The wire was located on the edge of the field that was being sprayed, running perpendicular to the direction of flight. The wire was about 20 feet above ground level. The helicopter was substantially damaged and a post accident fire occurred. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47DT-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 1704 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G 2A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1704 - Airframe hours: 8769 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bettencort Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Bettencort Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2014, 13 hours before - Departed: Merced, CA - Destination: Merced, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,571 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,483 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMCE, 2 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 20140718016419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140718016419A), Jul 18, 2014: Bell 47G-2A, Merced, CA, Destroyed. On July 18, 2014, N47DT a Bell 47 helicopter which was conducting agricultural spray operations made contact with a power line pole guide wire while attempting… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89689. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 426 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Power Pole Guy Wire (item 3, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Power%20Pole%20Guy%20Wire-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.