You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Saturday 21 September 1985 |
| Time: | 11:00 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 47G-2 |
| Owner/operator: | Helicair Ag, Inc. |
| Registration: | N2874B |
| MSN: | 1987 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8310 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming VO-435-A1D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Watsonville, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Watsonville, CA |
| Watsonville, CA | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
DURING AN AG FLT, AT ABT 5 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE ENG OVERSPED, & ALL PWR TO THE ROTOR BLADES WAS LOST. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO IMMEDIATELY LAND IN THE UNDERLYING FIELD, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/AIRSPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN & SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE CLUTCH REVEALED THAT POOR CONTACT WAS BEING MADE BETWEEN THE SHOES & DRUM. EXAM OF THE FREE WHEELING UNIT REVEALED IT CONTAINED NUMEROUS ROLLERS WHICH WOULD NOT LOCK. IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH COMPONENTS'S FAILURE WAS PRIMARY.
Probable Cause:
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX85LA400
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 8 April 2003 | F-GFFV | 0 | Le Lamentin Airport, Fort-de-France |  |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 29-Mar-2024 13:54 | 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:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation