ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 359321
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| Date: | Monday 20 February 1995 |
| Time: | 08:45 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 47G-5 |
| Owner/operator: | North Coast Helicopter Service |
| Registration: | N1309X |
| MSN: | 7818 |
| Engine model: | LYCOMING VO-435-B1A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Sonoma, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION HE OBSERVED MOISTURE (DEW) PRESENT ON THE BUBBLE OF HIS HELICOPTER. HE DID NOT HAVE TOWELS, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO WIPE THE BUBBLE CLEAN USING HIS HANDS. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED BYSTANDERS APPROACHING, SO HE DECIDED TO TAKE OFF AWAY FROM THEIR POSITION, AND HE FLEW INTO TELEPHONE WIRES. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE SUN WAS IN FRONT OF HIM WHICH ALSO RESTRICTED HIS FLIGHT VISIBILITY.
Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout for obstructions during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his decision to fly with an inadequately cleaned bubble which partially obstructed his vision. Sun glare was an additional factor in the accident.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX95LA113
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 11 January 1996 | N1309X | North Coast Helicopter Service | 1 | Pope Valley, CA | |
w/o |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar-2024 09:20 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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