On May 31, 2001, a Bell 47G-4A (registration N110DT) was involved in an aviation accident near Buttonwillow, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude and a wind shift. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an aerial application turn, a helicopter experienced settling with power and collided with the ground. The pilot cited high temperatures, a wind shift, and a steep turn as factors.
Incident Overview
A helicopter conducting aerial application operations was involved in an accident while executing a turn to reverse direction for continued spraying. According to the pilot, the aircraft began settling with power during the maneuver and subsequently collided with the ground.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that temperatures were "near triple digit" Fahrenheit, and a wind shift occurred during the flight. The turn was described as a steep 180-degree reversal. The pilot noted that the power settling could not be arrested before impact. Additionally, the pilot stated that the temperature over the unplanted field where the reverse turn was being performed was higher than over the corn field that had been previously sprayed.
Circumstances
The accident occurred during an aerial application flight. No further details about the aircraft, injuries, or damage were provided in the source.