Bell 47G 2A N4774S

Summary

On 27 February 2015 at about 18:30 local time, a Bell 47G 2A registered N4774S, operated by Barton Aero Inc, was involved in an accident near Ivanhoe, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 February 2015 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ivanhoe, California, United States

Coordinates

36.4594, -119.1908

Aircraft

Bell 47G 2A

Registration

N4774S

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1965

Engines

1

Operator

Barton Aero Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Visalia → Visalia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15LA116

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude to conduct agricultural spraying operations. While departing the coverage area, the pilot saw power lines and attempted to fly underneath them, but the helicopter's main rotor mast struck a wire, and the helicopter subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.