Bell 47-G4 accident near Porterville, CA
On June 13, 2003, a Bell 47-G4 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Porterville, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 13, 2003
- Place
- Porterville, CA
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-G4 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.030°N, 119.063°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030618X00893
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 13, 2003, at 0956 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47-G4 restricted category helicopter, N9017N, impacted terrain during an aerial pesticide application near Porterville, California. Harvest Enterprises was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter was destroyed. The local flight departed a truck platform about 1 minute prior to the accident. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The crew boss filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) on behalf of the operator. When he arrived at the helicopter pad about 0700, the pilot was already there. The pilot, the crew boss, and the service truck driver held a brief meeting. The driver departed for the first field that would be sprayed that day. About 0745, the pilot did his preflight checks on the helicopter, warmed it up, and then departed for the field about 0800. At 0823, the pilot began spraying the field, completing the first job at 0857. After completing another field, the pilot arrived at the next site, and the service truck reloaded the helicopter. The job began at 0945, and ended at 0950. At the next field, the crew again loaded the helicopter was with spray and "topped off" the fuel tanks. The crew boss departed in his truck, traveling west, and the pilot departed the loading platform about 0955, traveling in a southwest direction toward the next field. Then, the crew boss witnessed the helicopter making a long, left turn. He
Probable cause
loss of control for undetermined reasons.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
