# Accident 20020914024429A: Bell OH58A, Rochester, MA, September 14, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 14, 2002, 11:45 local time
- Place: Rochester, MA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: FTYL
- Location: 42.2295° N, 71.5302° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2295&lon=-71.5302&mi=10
- Aircraft: N444JB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N444JB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell OH-58A (registry code 1181579, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL OH58A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD02LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA094) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020914024429A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT FATAL WHEN N444JB, OH-58A PILOTED BY GEORGE NORMAN CLAIRMONT, ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURAL FAR 133 EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS CRASHED WHILE LIFTING CONTAINERS OF CRANBERRIES. A MAST BUMPING SITUATION OCCURRED DUE TO THE UNLOADING OF THE ROTOR SYSTEM AT HIGH RPM CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO FLEX DOWNWARD SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO SPIN, CRASH ON ITS SIDE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD02LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA094), Sep 14, 2002: Garlick OH-58AT (N444JB), Rochester, MA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to center the sling load prior to commencing forward flight. Also causal, was the pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in an…

## Other reports on N444JB (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19960701015689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960701015689A), Jul 1, 1996: Bell 206B (N444JB), South Carver, MA, Substantial damage. On aerial application load became imbalanced. Lost control, made uncontrollabel right turn. Crashed in a pond. (-23) during aerial application of fertilizer,…
- [Incident 19900526028409I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900526028409I), May 26, 1990: Bell 206B (N444JB), East Haven, VT, Minor damage. On external load operation. Entered drop zone. Elected to go around. Rotor blades hit roof of building.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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