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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 8, 1996 · Texas Helicopter OH-13E · N51582

Santa Rita, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Santa Rita, CA
Aircraft
Texas Helicopter OH-13E
Tail Number
N51582
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA010

Following a landing next to his service truck, the pilot got out of the helicopter to speak with the farmer. The pilot said that both he and the loader failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached to the helicopter. He lifted off with the helicopter tethered by the hose. When the hose became taunt, the helicopter rolled over, descended, and collided with level terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 1996, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, a Texas Helicopter OH-13E, N51582, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb about 2 miles west of Santa Rita, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was being operated by Gomes Farm Air Service, Salinas, California, as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, following a landing next to his service truck, he got out of the helicopter to speak with the farmer. His loader serviced the helicopter with a pesticide. The pilot said that both he and the loader failed to notice the 50-foot loading hose was still attached to the helicopter. He lifted off with the helicopter tethered by the hose. When the hose became taunt, the helicopter rolled over, descended and collided with level terrain.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTexas Helicopter OH-13E
Tail NumberN51582
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data