# NTSB FTW88DRD12: Texas Helicopter M74C, N47345, Rayville, LA, July 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Rayville, LA
- Coordinates: 32.470661, -91.749816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4707&lon=-91.7498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD12

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS SPRAYING HIS COTTON FIELD WITH HIS OWN HELICOPTER. THE ACFT HIT A TREE DURING A RIGHT TURNING PULL-UP. THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES WERE SEVERED FIRST THEN, DURING AN UNCONTROLLED RIGHT TURN, THE TAILBOOM HIT ANOTHER TREE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK A TREE AND THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD AND BLADES SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED AND CAME TO REST IN A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47345](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47345-1997-08-25), registration cancelled 1997-08-25, S/N 76002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter M74C
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 76-002
- Airframe hours: 2702
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael D. Finley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1988, 106 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,996 total, 2,587 in this make and model, 106 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 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 19880711026409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880711026409A), Jul 11, 1988: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Rayville, LA, Destroyed. Struck trees and crashed during a pull up from a spray run.

## Other investigations on N47345 (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 MIA89LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA204), Jul 21, 1989: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 (N47345), Greenwood, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF A MAIN ROTOR BLADE PITCH CHANGE HORN AND/OR ATTACHING BOLT(S).

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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