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Nighttime Agricultural Helicopter Crash Due to Loss of Ground Illumination

Shafter, CA, United States

On July 15, 2008, a Bell 47G-3B-1 operated by Slykerman Ag Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Shafter, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the pilot's visual perception. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter crashed into an alfalfa field during a nighttime agricultural spray flight after the pilot's ground illumination lights failed. The aircraft rolled over and sustained substantial damage.

Incident Overview and Pilot Report During a nighttime agricultural spray operation over an alfalfa field, a helicopter experienced a loss of ground illumination lights shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported that the lights failed while the aircraft was descending and maneuvering close to the ground. The pilot stated that he did not see the field before the spray boom impacted it. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and was substantially damaged. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location. The probable cause is not explicitly stated in the source, but the loss of ground illumination lights during a low-altitude nighttime maneuver is a key factor in the incident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Altitude — Not attained/maintainedLighting system — Failure

Other contributing factors

DarkPilot

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Jul 2008 Bell 47G-3B-1 accident near Shafter, CA?

A helicopter crashed into an alfalfa field during a nighttime agricultural spray flight after the pilot's ground illumination lights failed. The aircraft rolled over and sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Jul 2008 Bell 47G-3B-1 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Jul 2008 involved a Bell 47G-3B-1, operated by Slykerman Ag Aviation, Inc., at Shafter, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the failure of the helicopter's lights during the night flight and the effect of that failure on the pilot's visual perception.

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