# NTSB ERA22LA209: Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, N281SP, Oakland, FL, April 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 26, 2022, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Oakland, FL - Coordinates: 28.56966, -81.64492 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5697&lon=-81.6449&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105009/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105009 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA209 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue the low-altitude aerial application flight over water conditions that degraded his depth perception, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the 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: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3740006), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=3740006), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3740006), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=3740006), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3740006), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was performing aerial application operations and had sprayed one load early that morning, then returned for his second load. While on the ground, operations were halted because another company helicopter had crashed into the water they were conducting operations over. Following that accident, a safety briefing was held with the pilots, and they were instructed to maintain constant communications with the loader truck. They resumed spray operations and later that afternoon the pilot noted that it was difficult to judge his height above the water and advised another company pilot via radio of that fact. He further described that the water was “like a mirror,” which hampered his depth perception. Later that evening, during a final application pass while he was looking down at the GPS, the helicopter impacted the water. The helicopter’s fuselage, main, and tail rotor blades were substantially damaged during the impact. Following the accident the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical deficiencies of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N281SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N281SP), registered now, S/N 73-21912, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARLICK HELICOPTERS INC OH-58A+ (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+](https://openairdocs.org/model/garlick-helicopters-oh-58a-plus) (registry code 3740006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce T63-A-720](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-t63-a-720) (registry code 54227, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 73-21912 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 9041 - Engines: Rolls-Royce T63-A-720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Coastal Air Service Inc - Registered owner: Coastal Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 2022, 7 hours before - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 16,835 total, 16,835 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KORL, 16 nm away - METAR: KORL 262253Z 10011KT 10SM CLR 28/17 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP184 T02780167 ## 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 20220426002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220426002639A), Apr 26, 2022: Garlick Helicopters Inc OH-58A+, Oakland, FL, Substantial damage. On 04-26-2022 at approximately 18:45 aircraft N281SP while performing aerial spraying (aquatic control) of lake apopka, struck the water and lost control of… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105009. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13963887&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Recd%205%2012%202022_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13963778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20John%20White%204%2027%202022%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13963788&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Pilot%20Statement%20Recd_4%2029%202022_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14151658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14135308&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.