Event SEA05LA138

Factual narrative

On July 4, 2005, at 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 47G-2A helicopter, N38926, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt, following a loss of engine power near Oroville, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Waitsburg Helicopter Service was operating the flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot said that he was spraying cherries when the engine suddenly stopped. He attempted an auto rotation, but the main rotor impacted cherry trees. The helicopter's main bubble was shattered, and the skids and frame were bent. Postimpact examination of the aircraft, by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the throttle cable's housing had broken, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position. The pilot said that he was spraying cherries when the engine suddenly stopped. He attempted an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted cherry trees. The helicopter's main bubble was shattered, and the skids and frame were bent. Postimpact examination of the aircraft, by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the throttle cable's housing had broken, which permitted the engine's RPM to decay to the idle position. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12