N6356

On July 9, 1996, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G helicopter, N6356, collided with the ground during a quick stop maneuver near Bartow, Florida. The aerial observation flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was destroyed; the commercial pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Bartow, Florida, at 0845.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to survey alligator nests along the canal. According to the pilot, they had been flying low (50 to 100 feet), at approximately 35 miles per hour, along a canal when the passenger warned him of utility lines crossing their intended route of flight. As the pilot executed a quick stop maneuver to avoid a collision with the utility lines, the tail rotor assembly collided with the ground. No mechanical problems were reported. The pilot also stated that a better scanning technique, and a slightly higher altitude may have prevented this accident.