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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 21, 2016 · Bell 47G-2A · N64702

Los Fresnos, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Los Fresnos, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A (1962)
Tail Number
N64702
Operator
Hendrickson Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN16LA161

According to the operator, the commercial pilot of the helicopter was performing an aerial application flight when the helicopter struck a set of power lines that ran perpendicular to the field being sprayed. The operator stated that the lines were obscured due to trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Contributed to outcome - F

Full Narrative

On April 21, 2016, about 1112 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A, N64702, collided with power lines, impacted terrain, and caught fire near Los Fresnos, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc, Rochelle, Illinois, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Weslaco, Texas, at an undetermined time.The following account of the accident is based up a report submitted by the operator because the pilot was seriously injured and was in the hospital: The pilot was spraying a cotton field between two sets of power lines that ran parallel to his flight path. The helicopter struck a third set of power lines that ran perpendicular to the field being sprayed. The power lines were obscured by trees. A ground fire erupted after the accident, resulting in the helicopter being destroyed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:12 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-2A
Tail NumberN64702
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHendrickson Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A2F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3400 ft
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data