On October 31, 1992, a Bell 47G2 (registration N919SF) operated by Gomes Farm Air Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Gonzales, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
After a spraying operation, a helicopter landed in an open field. While backing up, it struck wires and crashed. The pilot reported cyclic control problems, but no preexisting malfunctions were found.
Incident Details
A helicopter, crewed by a pilot and a pilot/observer, completed a spraying operation and landed in an open field. The pilot then decided to back up the helicopter. During the backing maneuver, the helicopter struck wires and subsequently crashed. The pilot reported experiencing issues with the cyclic control. The pilot/observer did not report any flight control malfunctions.
Examination
A post-accident examination of the helicopter was conducted. The examination disclosed no evidence of any preexisting malfunction or failure in the aircraft's systems. No mechanical issues were identified that could have contributed to the accident.