# NTSB GAA16CA258: Bell OH 58, N543SD, Waitsburg, WA, May 21, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2016, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Waitsburg, WA - Coordinates: 46.237499, -118.139167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2375&lon=-118.1392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93237 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93237/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93237 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA258 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during low reconnaissance flight, which resulted in a power line strike, loss of control, and a subsequent hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting a low reconnaissance flight prior to helicopter aerial application operations; during the low reconnaissance, the helicopter came in contact with a power line which caught on the left skid. The pilot further reported that, while under tension, a section of the power line "snapped" into the main rotor system resulting in a loss of control. Subsequently, the pilot performed an emergency autorotation to a wheat field which resulted in a hard landing followed by main rotor contact with and consequent separation of the tail boom. The fuselage and the tail boom were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported that a more thorough high reconnaissance flight prior to the low reconnaissance flight would have decreased the probability of this accident occurring. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting a low reconnaissance flight prior to helicopter aerial application operations; during the low reconnaissance, the helicopter came in contact with a power line which caught on the left skid. The pilot further reported that, while under tension, a section of the power line "snapped" into the main rotor system resulting in a loss of control. Subsequently, the pilot performed an emergency autorotation to a wheat field which resulted in a hard landing followed by main rotor contact with and consequent separation of the tail boom. The fuselage and the tail boom were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported that a more thorough high reconnaissance flight prior to the low reconnaissance flight would have decreased the probability of this accident occurring. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N543SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N543SD-2022-10-06), registration cancelled 2022-10-06, S/N 70-15543 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH 58 (C) - Registry model: [Bell OH-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58c) (registry code 1181580) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15543 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 12838.5 - Engines: Rolls Royce 720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wilbur-Ellis Co - Registered owner: Wilbur-Ellis Co - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 2016 - Departed: Waitsburg, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,418 total, 650 in this make and model, 3,313 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KALW, 11 nm away ## 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 20160521005689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160521005689A), May 21, 2016: Bell OH-58C, Waitsburg, WA, Substantial damage. N543SD a restricted category OH-58 helicopter received substantial damage as the result of a wire-strike and hard landing. The helicopter received damage to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93237. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.