Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The helicopter collided with power lines while conducting an aerial application flight. The local weather conditions were clear skies and 10 statute miles visibility.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 24, 2002, at 1840 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2, N8478H, collided with power lines during aerial application maneuvering near Oasis, California. The helicopter, operated by Salton Sea Air Services under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The helicopter departed from a private strip near the accident site, and was scheduled to terminate at the private strip. In a written statement provided by the pilot, he stated that he was working for a local citrus nursery when he "hit some power lines." The weather conditions in the local area at the time of the accident were clear skies and 10 statute miles visibility. The pilot had accumulated a total of 19,950 flight hours, of which 710 hours were accumulated in helicopters. All of his helicopter flight time was in the Bell 47.