On May 4, 1995, a Bell 47G-5A (registration N444GW) operated by Wiggins Airways, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Middleboro, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude aerial application turn, which resulted in inadvertent settling with power and the subsequent collision with the terrain. 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.
While performing an aerial application turn over a cranberry bog, a helicopter began an abrupt, uncontrolled descent from 30-35 feet and collided with the ground. No mechanical malfunction was found.
Accident Details
The pilot had completed several aerial application runs over a cranberry bog. At the end of a southeast run, the pilot initiated a 'normal ag turn' to the right. At the completion of the turn, at an altitude of 30 to 35 feet, the helicopter began an abrupt, uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
The pilot applied collective pitch but was unable to arrest the rate of descent, and the helicopter collided with the ground. No mechanical malfunction of the helicopter engine or flight controls was detected. Winds at the accident site were from 220 degrees at 12 knots.
Witness Observation
A witness stated that the helicopter appeared to hover at 30 to 35 feet, started the right turn, then descended rapidly to the ground.