NIPOMO, CA, USA
N115B
BELL 47G-2
THE PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING A MANEUVERING TURN AND COLLIDED WITH A CULTIVATED FIELD DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OF A CATEGORY II FUNGICIDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A DOWNWIND CONDITION DURING THE TURN AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER HAD ABOUT 50 GALLONS OF FUNGICIDE ONBOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WITH THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
On June 18, 1995, at 1017 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N115B, collided with the ground following an in-flight loss of control during aerial application of a Category II fungicide on a celery field near Nipomo, California. The helicopter was being operated by English Air Service under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The helicopter was destroyed. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. According to the operator, the helicopter was in a downwind condition during a maneuvering turn and settled to the ground. The accident occurred during the second pass on the second run of the day. The operator estimated the helicopter had approximately 50 gallons of fungicide onboard at the time of the accident. The pilot indicated on the Pilot/Operator Accident Report, that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before the accident.
the pilot's improper handling of the helicopter by her failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the attempted maneuver resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the ground.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
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