Bell 47G N4758R

Summary

On 10 December 1996 at about 17:30 local time, a Bell 47G registered N4758R, operated by Wildhorse Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Pendleton, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 December 1996 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pendleton, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.7306, -118.7892

Aircraft

Bell 47G

Registration

N4758R

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Wildhorse Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pendleton → Pendleton

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA035

2 people died.

The pilot-in-command's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with hilly terrain. A contributing factor in the accident was the presence of fog.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Two restricted-category helicopters, each flown by a commercial pilot, departed from a controlled airport during VFR conditions and began performing an agricultural spraying operation at a local ranch. Later that morning, the weather conditions worsened as patchy fog began to move into the area. Both pilots ceased the spraying operation due to the weather, and each landed at the ranch. One of the pilots (second pilot) secured his helicopter and boarded the other pilot's (first pilot) helicopter with the intention of flying back to the controlled airport. A dog was also on board the helicopter. During the return flight, the first pilot contacted the airport control tower and reported that he was 'on top...looking for a hole' in the fog. The helicopter impacted hilly terrain and was destroyed. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The helicopter was not equipped for instrument flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.