ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 289026
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Sunday 31 July 2011 |
| Time: | 10:00 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 47G |
| Owner/operator: | Agra Fly |
| Registration: | N6260C |
| MSN: | 7952 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1159 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming VO435 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Porterville, California -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Porterville Airport, CA (PTV/KPTV) |
| Porterville Airport, CA (PTV/KPTV) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that during the agricultural operation he landed the helicopter into the wind to reload with fuel and agricultural chemicals. While the loader was mixing the chemicals, the pilot noted that the wind shifted to a tailwind condition. The pilot also noted that the rotor blades were dirty, but he forgot to clean them before departure. During the takeoff, the helicopter was unable to gain any lift and it started to sink back to the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground moments after takeoff with a slight nose low attitude which resulted in the skids collapsing and the main rotor blades contacting the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot's decision to takeoff in a tailwind condition, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient lift during the takeoff.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB WPR11CA394
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 7 February 2001 | N6260C | Private | 0 | Pixley, CA | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 05-Oct-2022 08:55 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation