Bell 47G N7060J

Summary

On 18 October 2019 at about 14:42 local time, a Bell 47G registered N7060J, operated by Wilbur-Ellis Co, was involved in an accident near King City, California, 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

18 October 2019 at 14:42

Classification

Accident

Location

King City, California, United States

Nearest airport

Mesa Del Rey (KIC)

Coordinates

36.1981, -121.1103

Aircraft

Bell 47G

Registration

N7060J

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1970

Engines

1

Operator

Wilbur-Ellis Co

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

King City → King City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA20CA034

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he planned to fly over the top of a power pole. He applied full-up collective to climb over the pole, but the helicopter struggled to gain altitude. He added that, after the helicopter cleared the pole, the main rotor speed reduced and the helicopter "quit flying," so he decided to conduct a run-on landing on the field. The helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.