Aviation Crash Map

Bell 47G-2 N115B

18 June 1995 · Nipomo, California, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 18 June 1995 at about 17:17 local time, a Bell 47G-2 registered N115B was involved in an accident near Nipomo, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 17:17
Classification
Accident
Location
Nipomo, California, United States
Coordinates
35.0505, -120.4796
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Registration
N115B
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 137: Agricultural
Purpose of flight
Aerial Application
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX95LA214

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

the pilot's improper handling of the helicopter by her failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the attempted maneuver resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING A MANEUVERING TURN AND COLLIDED WITH A CULTIVATED FIELD DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OF A CATEGORY II FUNGICIDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A DOWNWIND CONDITION DURING THE TURN AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER HAD ABOUT 50 GALLONS OF FUNGICIDE ONBOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WITH THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 47 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Nov 1995 Bell 47G-4A
N99138
Pacific Ocean
no coordinates
Z Fishing Company No injuries -
21 Sep 1995 Bell 47G
N616X
Union City, Tennessee, United States Gordon Wade No injuries -
10 Sep 1995 Bell 47G-3B2
N7942J
Yuma, Arizona, United States - No injuries -
26 Sep 1995 Bell 47G-3B1
N92HA
Union Church, Mississippi, United States Ward Aviation, Inc. Minor injuries -
1 Feb 1995 Bell 47G-4A
N6SR
El Indio, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
12 Aug 1995 Bell 47
N4032G
Arlington Hts, Illinois, United States
no coordinates
- Minor injuries -

All 1,633 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
20 Jun 1995 Ed Bergreen KIS
N62TW
San Leandro, California, United States - Minor injuries -
23 Jun 1995 Spreuer COZY
N84CZ
Oceanside, California, United States - No injuries -
26 Jun 1995 Cessna 182P
N9148M
Susanville, California, United States - No injuries -
28 Jun 1995 Cessna 150M
N63264
Turlock, California, United States - Minor injuries -
24 Jun 1995 Piper PA-28-181
N6911P
Palm Springs, California, United States Alan L. Kaplan No injuries -
24 Jun 1995 Piper PA-34-200
N56484
Avalon, California, United States Aero Club No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States