# NTSB LAX03CA250: Texas Helicopter OH-13E-M74, N51852, Tulare, CA, July 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2003, 07:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Tulare, CA - Coordinates: 36.283332, -119.599998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2833&lon=-119.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57610/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA250 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter collided with power lines during an aerial application. The pilot was on his nineteenth pass over the field, traveling eastbound. Power lines were located on the east and west side of the road. There was a pole about 75 feet tall, and the top 6 feet contained three wires. The top wire, a black colored insulator wire, was located 3 feet from the top of the pole. The pilot located the outbox on the pole and determined he would fly above the box to clear all of the wires. As he flew over the lines, the helicopter impacted the insulator wire about 1/2 foot above the cockpit floor. The helicopter slid along the wire and then the wire broke from the insulator at the next pole. The poles were placed about 300 feet apart. As the helicopter impacted the ground, the left skid hit first, followed by the main rotor. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2003, at 0720 Pacific daylight time, a Texas Helicopter Corporation OH-13E/M74 WASP, N51852, collided with power lines during an aerial application near Tulare, California. The pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed during the flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the local area about 0600. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the pilot was on his nineteenth pass over the field, traveling eastbound. Power lines were located on the east and west side of the field. The power lines were attached to poles about 75 feet tall, and the top 6 feet of each pole contained three wires. The top wire, a black colored insulator wire, was located 3 feet from the top of the pole. The pilot located the outbox on the pole and determined he would fly above the box to clear all of the wires. As he flew over the lines, the helicopter impacted the insulator wire about 1/2 foot above the cockpit floor. The helicopter slid along the wire and then the wire broke from the insulator at the next pole. The poles were about 300 feet apart. As the helicopter impacted the ground, the left skid hit first, followed by the main rotor. In a written report, the pilot stated that "paying more attention" would prevent future accidents. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51852](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51852), registered now, S/N 78-020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter OH-13E-M74 - Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 78020 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-BIA reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James Costa - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Tulare, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,875 total, 4,175 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMRY ## Other investigations on N51852 (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 LAX94LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA342), Aug 31, 1994: Texas Helicopter M74 (N51852), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and in-flight fuel consumption monitoring. 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.