Bell 47G-3B2 accident near Strathmore, California, February 1, 1989
On February 1, 1989 at about 5:41 pm local time, a Bell 47G-3B2 (helicopter), registered N2918W, was destroyed in an accident near Strathmore, California. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SERVICE TRUCK. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SERVICE VEHICLE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 1989 · about 5:41 pm local time
- Place
- Strathmore, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-3B2 · all 47G-3B2s on the register
- Registration
- N2918W · registry record · serial N2918W
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A HOVERING MANEUVER, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LIFTED OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE EXTERNAL LOAD SWUNG & SNAGGED ON THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN PULLED DOWN & IT COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PLT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS & A MINOR HEAD INJURY; A GROUND LOADING ASSISTANT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,000 hours in all; 9,000 in this make and model; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,983 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 30, 1989; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TVO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Agri-Fly Services, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
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.