# NTSB ERA09CA090: Bell OH-58C, N659HA, Osceola County, FL, December 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 15, 2008, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Osceola County, FL - Coordinates: 28.284721, -81.288887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2847&lon=-81.2889&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 February 25, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of altitude during low-altitude spraying operations, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. ## 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: [Bell OH-58A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/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: [Bell OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181579), [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: [Bell OH-58A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot stated that he was spraying pesticide over a lake, adding that weather conditions were overcast skies and calm winds. He was spraying from east to west and west to east, and trying to keep his altitude between 50 and 200 feet above the water, and speed of about 30 miles per hour. He stated that the spray runs were about a mile. He was finishing up his 14th takeoff and landing for the day. He said the lake was glassy and that it was difficult to judge his altitude; he then flew into the water and flipped over. He reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot stated that he was spraying pesticide over a lake, adding that weather conditions were overcast skies and calm winds. He was spraying from east to west and west to east, and trying to keep his altitude between 50 and 200 feet above the water, and speed of about 30 miles per hour. He stated that the spray runs were about a mile. He was finishing up his 14th takeoff and landing for the day. He said the lake was glassy and that it was difficult to judge his altitude; he then flew into the water and flipped over. He reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N659HA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N659HA), registered now, S/N 70-15395, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH-58C - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (registry code 03031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15159 - Airframe hours: 6483 - Engines: Allison T63-720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Helicopter Applicators, Inc. - Registered owner: Helicopter Applicators, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 2008, 42 hours before - Departed: Saint Cloud, FL - Destination: Saint Cloud, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 13,827 total, 5,440 in this make and model, 13,470 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: MCO ## 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 20081215856669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081215856669A), Dec 15, 2008: Bell OH58C, St. Cloud, FL, Destroyed. (-23) 137 Operator was flying low over a large lake spraying chemicals, the lake was extremely calm and appeared to be glassy. The pilots depth perception was… 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.