CHINA LAKE, CA, USA
N73240
BELL 47G-3B
THE PILOT WAS HERDING HORSES FOR A BLM CONTRACT IN A DESERT AREA AND PERFORMED A DESCENDING TURN IN FRONT OF THE ANIMALS TO TURN THEM IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. DURING THE TURN, THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A JOSHUA TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER.
On February 7, 1995, about 1100 Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G-3B helicopter, N73240, collided with a Joshua tree while herding horses and burros near the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by High Desert Helicopters of Fallon, Nevada, under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Inyokern, California, airport about 0830 hours on the day of the accident. The pilot said he was herding horses and performed a descending turn in front of the animals to turn them in a different direction. During the turn, the helicopters main rotor struck a Joshua tree and the aircraft rolled over.
the pilot's misjudgement of the clearance between the main rotor and a tree while maneuvering at low altitude to herd animals.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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