# NTSB FTW83FA323: Texas Helicopter OH-13-EM-7A, N68040, Cedarville, AR, July 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1983, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Cedarville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.570632, -94.369552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5706&lon=-94.3696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - inadequate (cause)
  - hydraulic system - jammed (cause)
  - hydraulic system - improper (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS USING AN IMPROVISED HYDRAULIC VERTICAL SAW TO TRIM LIMBS & BRUSH FROM POWERLINES. THE SAW BLADES APPEAR TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS MANEUVERING. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE SAW, BUT THE QUICK DISCONNECT HOSES FAILED TO RELEASE AND THE HELICOPTER VEERED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68040 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter OH-13-EM-7A (OH-13-EM-7)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 76001
- Airframe hours: 1205
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1B3 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Other work use, Part 137
- Operator: James Randol Rogers
- Registered owner: Pea Ridge Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1983, 205 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830708029769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830708029769A), Jul 8, 1983: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Cedarville, AR, Destroyed. Crash occurred during external load operation when saw jammed in tree limbs. Chopper veered into trees from hover.

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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