Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM while maneuvering at a low altitude.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA333 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Turlock, California
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 47G-2
- N-number
- N6768D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.