# NTSB CHI89DEX05: Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A, N10002, New Richmond, IN, July 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1989, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: New Richmond, IN
- Coordinates: 40.18959, -86.970428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1896&lon=-86.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX05

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE AG FLIGHT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 100 FT AGL. THE TAIL BOOM OF THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND DURING THE AUTOROTATION IN A CORN FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT REPORTED HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY AGAINST THE FUEL GAUGES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FLYING DAY. HE STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF, THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 10 TO 14 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED. THE HELICOPTER OWNER STATED THAT AT LOW FUEL LEVELS THE GAUGES WERE KNOWN TO BE UNRELIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10002](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10002-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 79-030, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER OH-13H/M74A (OH-13H/M74)
- 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: 79-030
- Airframe hours: 679
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Swing Wing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1989, 79 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,093 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 9,024 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 50 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 19890713025829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890713025829A), Jul 13, 1989: Bell OH13HTEXHELI, New Richmond, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel shortly after takeoff. Autorotated to a nose high landing. Tail rotor struck ground.

## Other investigations on N10002 (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 CHI81FEV21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEV21), Jun 16, 1981: Texas Hel OH-13H (N10002), Danville, IL, destroyed, 1 fatal

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.

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