# NTSB LAX00LA076: Bell OH-58C, N436SD, Brawley, CA, January 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 18, 2000, 16:30 local (Jan 19, 2000, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Brawley, CA - Coordinates: 32.964958, -115.51373 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9650&lon=-115.5137&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 48498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48498/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA076 ## Probable cause The fuel system contamination that resulted in a loss of engine power during aerial application and a subsequent collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application ## Analysis The helicopter was engaged in agricultural aerial application. During a swath run over a field it descended and hit the ground. The post crash inspection revealed contaminants in the fuel system. Lack of engine rotational signatures were also noted. The source of the fuel contamination was not identified. ## Factual narrative On January 18, 2000, about 1630 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell OH-58C, N436SD, collided with flat agricultural terrain while spraying a field in Brawley, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by Ag Flite, Inc., as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from a mobile helipad located at the work site about 1628 on the afternoon of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was making a turn about 10 feet above ground level when the aircraft struck the ground. He said that he did not recall experiencing any problems prior to the crash. No other witnesses have been identified. An inspection of the wreckage revealed contamination in the fuel system. A fibrous material was found through the system including the high pressure fuel filter. The Federal Aviation Administration report stated that there was a lack of rotational signatures in the engine. The operator did not provide a written report of the accident on NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N436SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N436SD), registered now, S/N 70-15436, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell OH-58C - Registry model: [Bell OH-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58c) (registry code 1181580) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (registry code 03031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15436 - Airframe hours: 4735 - Engines: Allison 250 SER 250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: John S. Wagner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, December 2, 1999, 100 hours before - Departed: BRAWLEY, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 14,997 total, 397 in this make and model, 208 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 12 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 20000118000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000118000439A), Jan 18, 2000: Arofal OH58C, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 18, 2000, about 1630 hours pacific standard time, a bell OH-58C, N436SD, collided with flat agricultural terrain while spraying a field in… 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.