# NTSB ATL89FA193: Texas Helicopter OH-13/M74, N51850, Norman Park, GA, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Norman Park, GA
- Coordinates: 31.260812, -83.680595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2608&lon=-83.6806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA193

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM EXPOSURE TO LANNATE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE A RESPIRATOR WHILE HANDLING OR BEING EXPOSED TO LANNATE.,

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous equipment - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment(other toxic), pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN MAKING AGRICULTURAL AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS ALL DAY WITH SOME INTERRUPTIONS FOR RAIN.  HE HAD BEEN APPLYING LANNATE AND BRAVO; THE LOAD ABOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SAME.  AFTER A LUNCH BREAK, THE PILOT MADE ONE FLIGHT & LOADED FOR THE NEXT.  THE LIFTOFF AND DEPARTURE WERE REPORTED TO BE NORMAL, BUT WHEN THE HELICOPTER DID NOT RETURN AS EXPECTED, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED.  WRECKAGE OF THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND NEAR THE INTENDED AERIAL APPLICATION SITE.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED.  A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF METHOMYL (LANNATE) AT A LEVEL OF 600 PARTS/BILLION.  THE PILOT HAD NOT BEEN USING A RESPIRATOR.  HIS LAST RPRTD MEDICAL CHECK WAS ON 2/7/89.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51850](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51850), registered now, S/N 78-018, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER OH-13/M74
- 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
- Serial number: 78018
- Airframe hours: 1473
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Sunbelt Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1989, 249 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,607 total, 1,607 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890802033179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802033179A), Aug 2, 1989: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Norman Park, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter struck ground while spraying a peanut field with toxic chemical. Pilot had spray chemicals in blood.

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.