# Accident 20180511005259A: Bell OH-58C, Somerton, AZ, May 11, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 11, 2018, 20:05 local time
- Place: Somerton, AZ
- Airport: Tri-Rotor Ag Services Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 71TG
- Location: 32.6861° N, 114.7239° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6861&lon=-114.7239&mi=10
- Aircraft: N82857, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82857) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell OH-58C (registry code 1181580, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison T63 series (registry code 03031, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL OH-58C
- Reported engine: ALLISON T63 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 16,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA140) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180511005259A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT LIFTED OFF AT AZ25 FOR AERIAL APPLICATION WITH 12-15 GALLONS OF FUEL AND 98 GALLONS OF PRODUCT. AFTER THE FIRST PASS THE PILOT STARTED A TURN BACK TO THE FIELD AT APPROXIMATELY 20 KNOTS AND 45 DEGREES OF BANK. DURING THE TURN, THE STICK BEGAN TO SHAKE.  THE PILOT COMPLETED THE MANEUVER AND LEVELED OFF. THE STICK SHAKING INTENSIFIED AND THE LOW ROTOR RPM ILLUMINATED.  THE PILOT RECALLS THE MASTER WARNING ALSO BEING LIT. HE CONTINUED ON AN EAST HEADING LOOKING FOR A LANDING LOCATION. AS THE ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE HE DECIDED TO SET THE HELICOPTER DOWN BUT STILL HAD FORWARD MOMENTUM.  ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXED AND STRUCK THE TAIL SECTION, SEVERING IT FROM THE FUSELAGE.  THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RIGHT WITH THE LEFT FRONT SKID MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.  THIS CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH UP AND ROLL ONTO ITS RIGHT 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 WPR18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA140), May 12, 2018: Bell OH 58C (N82857), Yuma, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power during an aerial application flight due to thermal damage to the 1st stage gas producer turbine nozzle and an irregular fuel spray pattern due to carbon buildup of the…

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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