Bell 47G-2A N7878

Summary

On 11 July 2007 at about 18:12 local time, a Bell 47G-2A registered N7878, operated by Hendrickson Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Mercedes, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 2007 at 18:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Mercedes, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Mid Valley (T65)

Coordinates

26.1708, -97.9103

Aircraft

Bell 47G-2A

Registration

N7878

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Hendrickson Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Weslaco → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW07CA156

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission line.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine helicopter collided with a power line during an aerial application flight. The 9,212-hour commercial pilot lost control of the helicopter following the collision and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that prior to the collision with the power line, the reciprocating engine helicopter was operating normally, and added that he never saw the power line during the flight prior to impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.