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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 1, 1989 · Bell 47G-3B2 · N2918W

Strathmore, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Strathmore, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B2
Tail Number
N2918W
Operator
Agri-Fly Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89DVA03

DURING A HOVERING MANEUVER, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE EXTERNAL LOAD SWUNG & SNAGGED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN PULLED DOWN & IT COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PLT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A MINOR HEAD INJURY; A GROUND LOADING ASSISTANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SERVICE VEHICLE.

Full Narrative

DURING A HOVERING MANEUVER, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE EXTERNAL LOAD SWUNG & SNAGGED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN PULLED DOWN & IT COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PLT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A MINOR HEAD INJURY; A GROUND LOADING ASSISTANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:41 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B2
Tail NumberN2918W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAgri-Fly Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data