Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO UTILIZE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On December 28, 1993, about 1200 hours Pacific standard time, a Texas Helicopters OH-13E/M74L, N38110, crashed while maneuvering about 3 miles southeast of Los Banos, California. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area aerial application flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The helicopter, operated by Bernard Gach, Merced, California, received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from a field near the accident.
The pilot reported that he was applying "Roundup" herbicide to a cotton field when the engine suddenly quit. The pilot indicated that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor ice. He made an emergency autorotation to the field and landed hard, damaging the landing gear, main rotors, and tail boom.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA084