N8420E

Substantial
Serious

BELL 47GS/N: 2558

Accident Details

Date
Friday, June 5, 2009
NTSB Number
CEN09CA339
Location
San Marcos, TX
Event ID
20090607X15237
Coordinates
29.933610, -97.868614
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8420E
Make
BELL
Serial Number
2558
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
47GB47G
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Analysis

The commercial pilot said he was landing the agricultural helicopter at the edge of a large open bean field to pick up communications radios from his ground crew. During his landing approach under power lines he said he saw a vehicle approaching that he had not seen before. The pilot said he then raised the helicopter to allow the vehicle to pass underneath. The tail rotor blades then struck a wire at about 20 feet above the ground and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot said he lost control and the helicopter struck the surface of the bean field and rolled on its side. There was no post crash fire, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured and was airlifted by HEMS helicopter to a nearby hospital.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA339