On December 19, 1985, a Bell 47G2 (registration N8404E) was involved in an aviation accident near Moss, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a left climbing turn at the end of a spray run, the pilot felt a shudder as the engine reached full RPM. The helicopter settled and impacted the ground; no pre-impact failure was found.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot's account, after completing a spray run and initiating a left climbing turn, he experienced a shudder in the airframe. At the same time, the engine accelerated to full RPM. The pilot interpreted the shudder as a possible clutch slip and responded by adding collective pitch. The helicopter began to settle toward the ground, and the pilot reported that he was unable to arrest the descent before the aircraft struck the ground.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, the engine, transmission, and clutch assemblies were examined. The examination found no evidence of any pre-impact failure or malfunction. All components appeared to have been functioning normally prior to impact.