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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 4, 2003 · Bell OH-58A · N38FA

Calipatria, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Calipatria, CA
Aircraft
Bell OH-58A
Tail Number
N38FA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA126

The accident flight was the first flight of the day for commercial certificated pilot. He was relieving the owner/pilot, who had exited the helicopter and left it running, with a 50-foot loading hose connected to the right side of the helicopter just aft of the entry door. The helicopter was being loaded with product prior to an aerial application flight. The accident pilot boarded the helicopter from the right side, and prepared for takeoff. He observed the loader walking away from the helicopter, but failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached. As the pilot executed the takeoff, the hose became taut, and it pulled the helicopter down until the main rotor blades collided with the ground. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, 180 degrees from the departure path.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter, and an inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On April 4, 2003, about 0555 Pacific standard time, a Bell OH-58A, N38FA, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb near Calipatria, California. Farm Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed about 0555 from a dirt road 8 miles west of Calipatria. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 07 minutes north latitude and 115 degrees 40 minutes west longitude. The accident flight was the first flight of the day for accident pilot. The accident pilot was relieving the owner/pilot. The owner/pilot exited, and left the helicopter running. He briefed the accident pilot while ground personnel serviced the helicopter. The 50-foot loading hose connected to the right side of the helicopter just aft of the entry door. The accident pilot boarded the helicopter from the right side, and prepared for takeoff. He observed the loader walking away from the helicopter. However, he failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached. As the pilot executed the takeoff, he removed the slack from the loading hose. When the hose became taut, it pulled the helicopter down until the main rotor blades collided with the ground. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, 180 degrees from the departure path.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:55 PST
Nearest AirportCliff Hatfield Memorial (6nm E)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell OH-58A
Tail NumberN38FA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · T63-A720 · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 34 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data