# NTSB ATL80DLG12: Texas Heli M-74, N38099, Walterboro, SC, May 30, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 30, 1980
- Place: Walterboro, SC · WALTERBORO, SC
- Location: 32.8983° N, 80.6814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Walterboro, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8983&lon=-80.6814&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80DLG12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DLG12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1859  80/5/30    WALTERBORO,SC       TEXAS HELI M-74     CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1650                    N38099              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 25, 3300 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            700 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WALTERBORO,SC               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 4000                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (DUST)
          KIND OF CROP - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          GLOVES - NOT USED                                        GOGGLES - USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - INSTALLED                                    TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES
          TERRAIN-TYPE -SWAMPY/WATER                               ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  150
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- FERTILIZER BKT CABLE CAUGHT ON LOADING SYSTEM DURING TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38099](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38099-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 77-006, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELI M-74
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Dirt Road

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19800530018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800530018349A), May 30, 1980: Texhel OH13HTEXHELI, Walterboro, SC, Substantial damage. Fertilize bucket support cable caught on loading system on takeoff. Pulled copter to the ground.

## Other investigations on N38099 (2)

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 ATL99FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA132), Sep 16, 1999: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 (N38099), Heflin, AL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot of N9010T's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering, resulting in a midair collision with N30899. A factor was the sun glare.
- [NTSB LAX92LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA378), Sep 6, 1992: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 (N38099), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE PERFORMANCE AND WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA OF THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE CHEMICAL LOAD.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.