# NTSB WPR26LA207: Bell 47G-2, N88755, Mettler, CA, June 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 1, 2026, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Mettler, CA · Farm field near Mettler CA - Coordinates: 35.06, -119.03 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0600&lon=-119.0300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 203108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA207 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure the loading hose had been disconnected before takeoff, which resulted in an interrupted takeoff and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the ground loader's failure to disconnect the hose before communicating with the pilot. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 47G-2, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181008), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot landed the helicopter on an agricultural loading platform mounted on top a support truck to load spray material. After the loading operation was complete, the pilot signaled the ground crew member to stop pumping the spray material. The ground crewmember then approached the helicopter to speak with the pilot. After their brief conversation, the pilot initiated takeoff without verifying the loading hose had been disconnected from the helicopter's spray system. Upon realizing the hose remained attached, the pilot attempted to maintain a hover above the truck while the ground crewmember disconnected the hose. The ground crewmember was able to disconnect the hose; however, the pilot lost control of the helicopter, and it impacted terrain adjacent to the loading truck. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, cabin, main rotor system, and tail rotor system. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88755](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88755), registered now, S/N 2252 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-2 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2) (registry code 1181008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2252 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 7827.7 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Old Time Ag Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2026, 49 hours before - Departed: Mettler, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: Farm field outside Mettler CA. ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 92 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: BFL, 22 nm away - METAR: METAR KBFL 012154Z 30010KT 10SM CLR 33/07 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP104 T03280072 ## 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 20260601005489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260601005489A), Jun 1, 2026: Bell 47G-2, Mettler, CA, Substantial damage. During part 137 agricultural operations, the helicopter landed on an agricultural support truck for loading. After loading, the pilot initiated takeoff while… ## Other investigations on N88755 (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 MKC78FCA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FCA34), Jun 15, 1978: Bell 47G-2 (N88755), St Louis, MO, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI76FCA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FCA03), Oct 18, 1975: Bell 47G2 (N88755), Sauget, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203108. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20543775&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA207%20-%206120.1%20-%20Original_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20544125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA207%20-%20MOR%20-%20Pilot%20Interview_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20544283&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA207%20-%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.