# NTSB CHI04CA180: Texas Helicopter M-74, N10009, Clear Lake, MN, July 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 9, 2004, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Clear Lake, MN - Coordinates: 47.301944, -95.915275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3019&lon=-95.9153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA180 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain a proper glidepath to the landing zone. A factor was the truck pad. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A helicopter sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. As he was approaching the truck pad for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2004, at 1530 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter, M-74, N10009, sustained substantial damage while attempting to land on a truck pad that was positioned in a field near Waubun, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was returning to refuel on the truck pad. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was starting to spray his fourth field when he observed that the fuel gauge on the helicopter was close to the "low/danger area." He returned to the truck to refuel. He reported that as he was approaching the truck for landing, "the helicopter started to settle and in spite of forward cyclic and full power, rotor RPM started to decay." He reported that he was not able to get the skids all the way on the pad and the helicopter fell backwards off the truck pad. The pilot reported that the helicopter rolled to the right and nosed into the ground. It spun around and ended up facing the truck with its engine still running. The pilot shut down the helicopter and exited the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10009](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10009), registered now, S/N 79-032, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter M-74 - Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13h-m74a) (registry code 8930105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 79-032 - Engines: Lycoming O-435-25A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Gary Oleen - Registered owner: Gary Oleen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Clear Lake, MN - Destination: Clear Lake, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 14,102 total, 1,931 in this make and model, 249 in the last 90 days, 143 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040709026369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040709026369A), Jul 9, 2004: Bell OH13H, St. Cloud, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While returning from an agricultural air application operation, the pilot approached the truck landing pad heavier than usual due to 25 gallons of spray… ## Other investigations on N10009 (3) 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 CEN16LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA284), Jul 25, 2016: Texas Helicopter OH 13H/M74A (N10009), Minonk, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the truck driver to ensure that he had adequate clearance to pass under the helicopter and the failure of the loader to park in a safer area for reloading operations. - [NTSB CEN13LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA442), Jul 29, 2013: Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A (N10009), Streator, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's diverted attention during an agricultural application maneuver, which resulted in the helicopter impacting a corn field. - [NTSB CEN11CA524](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA524), Jul 28, 2011: Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A (N10009), Creston, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate skid clearance from the helicopter cart during landing, resulting in a dynamic rollover. 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.