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May 31, 2001 · Bell 47G-4A · N110DT

Buttonwillow, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buttonwillow, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-4A
Tail Number
N110DT
Operator
Inland Crop Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA196

During the aerial application turn-to-reverse direction to continue spraying chemicals, the helicopter began settling with power and collided with the ground. According to the pilot, "near triple digit" temperatures, a wind shift, and a steep 180-degree turn resulted in the power settling that could not be arrested prior to ground impact. The pilot also reported that the temperature over the unplanted field where he was executing the reverse turn was higher than over the corn field he had been spraying.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude and a wind shift.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 2001, at 1136 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N110DT, collided with the ground during an aerial application turn to reverse direction near Buttonwillow, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was being operated by Inland Crop Dusters, Inc., as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight had originated in the Bakersfield area earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was reported by Kern County Sheriff's Deputies to have been performing an aerial application flight when the helicopter crashed. According to the pilot, he was making a series of steep 180-degree turns between aerial application passes. He reported that on the last turn the helicopter began to "settle with power" and there was not enough time to recover. By his account, wind direction was a contributing factor. Wind speeds recorded at Bakersfield weather station were variable at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:36 PDT
Nearest AirportElk Hills-Buttonwillow (2nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-4A
Tail NumberN110DT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorInland Crop Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1B3 · Reciprocating · 305
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data