# NTSB DFW05CA172: Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, N372NS, Graham, TX, June 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2005, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Graham, TX - Coordinates: 32.900001, -98.533332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9000&lon=-98.5333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth - NTSB case key (mKey): 61854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61854/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA172 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - low altitude flight/maneuver (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis After 3 hours of flying, the agricultural helicopter collided with high tension wires and impacted the ground while maneuvering during aerial application of pesticides. The 10,000-hour pilot completed spraying a pasture and was trimming the edges when the helicopter struck the wires during a pull-up maneuver. Evidence at the accident site showed that the tail boom struck the top wire of the high tension string and separated in-flight. After the tail boom separated, the helicopter descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The wires did not have fixed aerial obstruction features (orange balls, etc.) installed. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2005, approximately 0845 central daylight time, a Garlick Helicopters Inc., OH-58A+ helicopter, N372NS, registered to and operated by Northstar Helicopters, Inc., of Jasper, Texas, collided with high tension wires and impacted the ground while maneuvering during aerial application of pesticides in the vicinity of Graham, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated at 0545 from a nearby private facility. According to the operator, the 10,000-hour pilot had completed spraying a pasture and was trimming the edges when the helicopter struck the wires during a pull-up maneuver. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed evidence of tail boom contact with the guide of a high tension string with subsequent in-flight tail boom separation. After the tail boom separated, the helicopter descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The wires were not equipped with fixed aerial obstruction features (orange balls, etc.). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N372NS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N372NS), registered now, S/N 70-15372, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garlick Helicopters Inc. OH-58A+ - Registry model: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+](https://openairdocs.org/model/garlick-helicopters-oh-58a-plus) (registry code 3740006) (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: 70-15372 - Engines: Allison C20C 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Northstar Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PVT, Graham, TX - Destination: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg ## 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 20050622015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050622015039A), Jun 22, 2005: Garlik OH58A+GARLIK, Graham, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On June 22, 2005, at approximately 0906 local, a garlick helicopter, model OH-58A, operated by north star helicpters inc. (kfzl) was destroyed after… ## Other investigations on N372NS (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 ERA21LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA269), Jun 25, 2021: Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+ (N372NS), Alpine, AL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the… 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.