Bell 47G-4A accident near Shafter, California, August 8, 1986
On August 8, 1986 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Bell 47G-4A (helicopter), registered N1185W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Shafter, California (Shafter-Minter Field). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 8, 1986 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Shafter, California · Shafter-Minter Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-4A · all 47G-4As on the register
- Registration
- N1185W · no longer on the register · serial 7513
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE LOADING RIG, EN ROUTE TO AN AGRICULTURAL AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE FORWARD COUPLING TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. THE HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND ABOUT 100 FT WEST OF THE LOADING RIG. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN IMMEDIATE AUTOROTATION BUT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THE COUPLING SUSTAINED EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE HELICOPTER HAD FLOWN 178 HOURS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL/100-HOUR INSPECTION. A 100-HOUR INSPECTION IS REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,438 hours in all; 1,438 in this make and model; 2,438 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,723 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 21, 1986; 178 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from BFL, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N1185W the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.