# NTSB CEN11LA317: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, N38096, New Columbia, IL, May 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 2011, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: New Columbia, IL - Coordinates: 37.340831, -88.815002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3408&lon=-88.8150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79026 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79026/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79026 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA317 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the wheat crop during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The aerial-application helicopter was operating from an uncultivated area of the wheat field being sprayed. The pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff, while accelerating through translational lift, the helicopter encountered a momentary loss of lift, consistent with an encounter with a wind gust, and settled into the wheat crop. The helicopter pitched down suddenly as the spray booms made contact with the crop and subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2011, at 1830 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter Corporation model OH-13E/M74 helicopter, N38096, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff near New Columbia, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Hendrickson Flying Service Incorporated, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local aerial-application flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the helicopter was operating from an uncultivated area of the wheat field being sprayed. The helicopter had been refueled and loaded with fungicide immediately before the accident takeoff. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, while accelerating through translational lift, the helicopter encountered a momentary loss of lift consistent with a wind gust and settled into the wheat crop. The helicopter pitched down suddenly as the spray booms made contact with the crop, and subsequently collided with terrain. The helicopter came to rest on its right side about 75 yards from the takeoff position. The engine continued to run after impact and was subsequently turned-off by the pilot using the magneto switch. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, and tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The nearest aviation weather observation station with recorded historical weather information was at Barkley Regional Airport (KPAH), about 19 nm south of the accident site, which was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS). At 1853, the KPAH ASOS reported the following weather conditions: Wind 320 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 16 degrees Celsius; dew point 1 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.22 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38096](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38096), registered now, S/N 77-005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter Corporation OH-13E/M74 - Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 77-005 - Airframe hours: 6040 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435-A1C 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2010 - Departed: New Columbia, IL - Destination: New Columbia, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 15,399 total, 2,384 in this make and model, 14,933 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: M30, 19 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 20110503007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110503007659A), May 3, 2011: Texas Helicopter Corp OH-13E/M74, New Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. The rotorcraft was conducting spray operations on a wheat field. The rotorcraft had just completed a re-supply of chemicals and was taking off to resume… ## Other investigations on N38096 (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 CHI03LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA247), Aug 6, 2003: Texas Helicopter OH-13E (N38096), Byron, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not attaining translational lift during the takeoff. A factor was the high gross weight. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79026. 592 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation, Ronald Korth (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation,%20Ronald%20Korth-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.