N204RW

On May 2, 1994, at 0715 Pacific daylight time, a Bell UH-1L helicopter, N204RW, collided with power lines while engaged in aerial application operations near Pleasant Grove, California. The helicopter was owned and operated by Bob's Flying Service of Knights Landing, California, under the provisions of 14 CFR 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. No flight plan was filed for the operation and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The helicopter was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated near the field to be sprayed about 0705 hours on the day of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was spraying a rice field and flying into the early morning rising sun. He reported that he did not see the power lines or poles due to the sun glare. After the collision, the pilot noted some control difficulties and attempted a run-on landing. The helicopter skids dug into the soft soil and the helicopter nosed over.