# NTSB CEN10CA395: Bell OH-58A, N415NS, Roswell, NM, July 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2010, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Roswell, NM - Coordinates: 33.657775, -104.311668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6578&lon=-104.3117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 76629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA395 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis In a statement provided by the pilot, during the aerial application flight the helicopter pilot scouted the application area for transmission wires. He noted their locations and began to disperse the applicant. The pilot reported that while flying east the rising sun momentarily disoriented him, resulting in a collision with a transmission wire. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open area. An inspection of the helicopter revealed damage to the main rotor pitch change links and swash plate. The pilot confirmed that there were no malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative In a statement provided by the commercial pilot, during the aerial application flight, the pilot scouted the application area for transmission wires. He noted their locations and began to disperse the applicant. While flying east, the rising sun momentarily disoriented the pilot resulting in a collision with a transmission wire. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open area. An inspection of the helicopter revealed damage to the main rotor pitch change links and swash plate. The pilot confirmed that there were no malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N415NS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N415NS-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 72-21415, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH-58A - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 72-21415 - Airframe hours: 12168 - Engines: Allison 250 420 lbs thrust turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: North Star Helicopters Inc, doing business as North Star Helicopter Inc - Registered owner: North Star Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2010, 83 hours before - Departed: Roswell, NM - Destination: Roswell, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 1,362 total, 841 in this make and model, 1,252 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: ROW, 24 nm away ## 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 20100710037659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100710037659A), Jul 10, 2010: Bell OH-58A+, Roswell, NM, Minor damage. At approximately 06:30 on July 10, 2010, N415NS struck a power line while spraying. The pilot was flying eastbound when he lost track of his position in the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76629. 563 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.