Summary
On October 08, 1996, a Texas Helicopter OH-13E (N51582) was involved in an incident near Santa Rita, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA010. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N51582.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA010