N83701

On July 16, 2000, at 0900 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N83701, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain while maneuvering near Holstein, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The local flight originated from Campbell, Nebraska, just prior to the accident time.

In a written statement, the pilot said, "As I made my second pass I noticed that I had a wind from the north [at] approx[imatley] 3-5 mph." He said, "On the third pass at the top of my turn the wind came up strongly from the E-NE and what airspeed I had at the top of the turn dissipated and became a tailwind of approx[imately] 15-20 knots. I was diving back into the field now with a tailwind, out of translational lift and ended up with what I consider to be settling with power. At my current altitude of approx[imately] 50-60 feet I did not have sufficient room to reenter translational lift and contacted the ground."

During a postaccident examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, no anomalies were found that could be associated with a preexisting condition.

A weather reporting station located about 17 miles and 037 degrees magnetic from the accident site reported at 0753 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots. The same reporting station reported at 0853 cdt, wind variable at 03 knots gusting to 19 knots. At 0900 cdt, the reporting station reported thunderstorms in the vicinity.