WATSONVILLE, CA, USA
N10194
BELL 47G-2
DURING A PRECEDING SPRAY OPERATION, THE PILOT NOTED THAT SOME OF THE SPRAY NOZZLES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE FLUSHED THE TANKS WITH FRESH WATER AND PARTIALLY REFILLED THEM WITH WATER TO PERFORM AN AIRBORNE NOZZLE CHECK. WHILE PERFORMING THE CHECK AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL, HE BECAME ENGROSSED IN VISUALLY CHECKING THE BOOM NOZZLES. HE DID NOT NOTICE A TELEPHONE LINE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID STRIKING IT. AFTER SEVERING THE LINE, THE PILOT MADE AN IMMEDIATE LANDING IN A MUDDY FIELD. WHILE LANDING IN A NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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