N6768D

Substantial
None

BELL 47G-2S/N: 2441

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
NTSB Number
WPR09CA333
Location
Turlock, CA
Event ID
20090708X75559
Coordinates
37.470275, -120.900558
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N6768D
Make
BELL
Serial Number
2441
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1959
Model / ICAO
47G-2B47G
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BETTENCOURT FLYING SERVICE INC
Address
1066 BERT CRANE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ATWATER
State / Zip Code
CA 95301
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that while in a turn to reverse direction after completing a downwind spray run, "I noticed my RPMs getting low. As I was coming back down into the field I was rolling on throttle but could not get RPMs where I wanted them. I was hoping for the wind to help me, but there wasn't much wind at the time." The pilot stated that he pushed the cyclic forward to get airspeed, followed by pumping the collective to try to get power back. "I did this all the way until I hit the ground." The pilot reported that the helicopter impacted the ground in a flat, level attitude at about 40 miles per hour before skidding 30 feet and coming to a stop in an upright position.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09CA333