Summary
On March 11, 2008, a Bell 206B (N7028J) was involved in an incident near Oxnard, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.
The pilot stated he was performing an aerial application on a celery crop with the skids about 24-inches above the tops of the crop. While in straight and level flight, the landing skids contacted the crop and the helicopter pitched forward. The front of the skids dug into terrain and the helicopter tumbled before it came to rest on its side. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom was separated. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control system.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA08CA091. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7028J.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated he was performing an aerial application on a celery crop with the skids about 24-inches above the tops of the crop. While in straight and level flight, the landing skids contacted the crop and the helicopter pitched forward. The front of the skids dug into terrain and the helicopter tumbled before it came to rest on its side. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom was separated. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control system.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA08CA091