Summary
On June 22, 2005, a Garlick Helicopters Inc. OH-58A+ (N372NS) was involved in an accident near Graham, TX. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor.
On June 22, 2005, approximately 0845 central daylight time, a Garlick Helicopters Inc., OH-58A+ helicopter, N372NS, registered to and operated by Northstar Helicopters, Inc., of Jasper, Texas, collided with high tension wires and impacted the ground while maneuvering during aerial application of pesticides in the vicinity of Graham, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DFW05CA172. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N372NS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 22, 2005, approximately 0845 central daylight time, a Garlick Helicopters Inc., OH-58A+ helicopter, N372NS, registered to and operated by Northstar Helicopters, Inc., of Jasper, Texas, collided with high tension wires and impacted the ground while maneuvering during aerial application of pesticides in the vicinity of Graham, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated at 0545 from a nearby private facility.
According to the operator, the 10,000-hour pilot had completed spraying a pasture and was trimming the edges when the helicopter struck the wires during a pull-up maneuver. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed evidence of tail boom contact with the guide of a high tension string with subsequent in-flight tail boom separation. After the tail boom separated, the helicopter descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The wires were not equipped with fixed aerial obstruction features (orange balls, etc.).
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW05CA172