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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 9, 2004 · Texas Helicopter M-74 · N10009

Clear Lake, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clear Lake, MN
Aircraft
Texas Helicopter M-74
Tail Number
N10009
Operator
Gary Oleen
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04CA180

A helicopter sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. As he was approaching the truck pad for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot failed to maintain a proper glidepath to the landing zone. A factor was the truck pad.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2004, at 1530 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter, M-74, N10009, sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field near Waubun, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was returning to refuel on the truck pad. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. He reported that as he was approaching the truck for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He reported that he was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The pilot reported that the helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftTexas Helicopter M-74
Tail NumberN10009
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGary Oleen
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-435-25A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data