Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
During an aerial application flight, the pilot was spraying water on a field to wash the hopper tank for the next load of chemicals. During the second pass, the pilot attempted to clear a wire that ran perpendicular to his flight path by descending beneath it at an altitude of approximately 5 feet. The pilot reported that the outer end of one main rotor blade struck the pole and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA339 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Watsonville, California
- Nearest airport
- None (N/A)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 47G-5
- N-number
- N1375X
- 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.