Bell 47G-3B2 N2918W

Summary

On 1 February 1989 at about 17:41 local time, a Bell 47G-3B2 registered N2918W, operated by Agri-Fly Services, Inc., was involved in an accident near Strathmore, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 February 1989 at 17:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Strathmore, California, United States

Coordinates

36.1408, -119.0905

Aircraft

Bell 47G-3B2

Registration

N2918W

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Agri-Fly Services, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89DVA03

1 person was seriously injured.

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SERVICE VEHICLE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A HOVERING MANEUVER, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE EXTERNAL LOAD SWUNG & SNAGGED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN PULLED DOWN & IT COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PLT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A MINOR HEAD INJURY; A GROUND LOADING ASSISTANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.