# NTSB CEN11CA533: Garlick Helicopters OH-58C, N82855, Rushford, MN, July 31, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2011, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Rushford, MN - Coordinates: 43.626945, -91.751113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6269&lon=-91.7511&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 October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-MSP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA533 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81326/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81326 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA533 ## Probable cause The pilot's diverted attention, which resulted in the failure to maintain clearance from the power line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=3740004), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3740004), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3740004), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3740004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was flying an aerial application flight when the helicopter contacted a power line that ran perpendicular to the direction of the spray run. The pilot stated he was aware of the power line, but he became distracted by horses that were located near the field. The wire strike and ground impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot was flying an aerial application flight when the helicopter contacted a power line that ran perpendicular to the direction of the spray run. The pilot stated he was aware of the power line, but he became distracted by horses that were located near the field. The wire strike and ground impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82855](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82855), registered now, S/N 71-20822 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARLICK HELICOPTERS INC OH-58C - Registry model: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/garlick-helicopters-oh-58c) (registry code 3740004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 71-20822 - Airframe hours: 6525 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kristin E Tellijohn - Registered owner: Kristin E Tellijohn - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2011, 37 hours before - Departed: Rushford, MN - Destination: Rushford, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 13, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 5,606 total, 475 in this make and model, 5,520 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LSE, 30 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 20110731015709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731015709A), Jul 31, 2011: Garlick Helicopters Inc OH-58C, Rushford, MN, Substantial damage. On 07/31/2011, at 1600 cdst, N82855, a Garlick OH-58C, [privacy data omitted] and piloted by [privacy data omitted], operated by [privacy data omitted] (bond… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81326. 552 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 525 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Mr. Tellijohn (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Mr.%20Tellijohn-Master.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.