Pilot Debrief

BELL 47G 5 near Salinas, CA — 2017-09-17

Final reportWPR17LA206
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Date
2017-09-17
Location
Salinas, CA, USA
Airport
SNS
Aircraft
BELL 47G 5
Registration
N3285T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a wire.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying under a powerline during an aerial application flight in an area with which he was very familiar when the helicopter collided with a wire. The wire was installed at a height of about 20 ft on the 40-ft-tall poles and was used for attaching a larger cable data line, which had not yet been installed at the time of the accident. The pilot did not recall seeing the wire before the accident. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the helicopter impacted the wire at its main rotor mast. The main rotor mast separated from the wreckage and the main rotor blades displayed impact damage consistent with ground impact. Examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a more thorough visual inspection for wires before descent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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