# NTSB LAX08CA054: Bell OH-58A, N902SF, Brawley, CA, January 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 29, 2008, 20:45 local (Jan 30, 2008, 04:45 UTC) - Place: Brawley, CA - Coordinates: 33.036109, -115.519447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0361&lon=-115.5194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67461/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. A factor in the accident was the dark night conditions. ## 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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was spraying fields at night. He had just completed spraying a field and was climbing out to move to a second field when the helicopter collided with unmarked high tension electrical wires. He felt the impact and was momentarily blinded by the bright electrical flash. The pilot reported that the helicopter was out of control and after about 2 or 3 seconds, the helicopter impacted the ground. After impact, he unbuckled his seatbelt and exited the helicopter. He reported that the engine was still running and he continued to experience some blindness. The pilot walked a few steps away from the helicopter before his regained his vision. He looked back at the helicopter to make sure there was no fire, and then went back to it, and shut it down. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the helicopter. The pilot said he had been spraying in this area for years and was aware of the general location of the power lines in the area. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was spraying fields at night, and prior to the accident he had just completed spraying a field. During the transition climb out to the second field, the helicopter struck high tension electrical wires. He felt the impact and knew that he was going to crash. The pilot reported the helicopter was out of control and he was momentarily blinded by the flash from the electrical wires. He regained his eyesight and noted that the helicopter was rolling to the right and flying in a curved direction. After about 2 or 3 seconds, the helicopter impacted the ground. After impact, the pilot unbuckled his seatbelt and exited the helicopter. He reported that the engine was still running and he continued to experience some blindness. The pilot walked a few steps away from the helicopter before his regained his vision. He looked back at the helicopter to make sure there was no fire, and went back to it, and shut it down. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge interviewed the pilot, he stated that he had been spraying in this area for years and was aware of the power lines in the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N902SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902SF-2023-03-06), registration cancelled 2023-03-06, S/N 70-15406, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell OH-58A - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (registry code 03031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15406 - Airframe hours: 6472.1 - Engines: Allison T63 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Farm Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 1, 2008 - Departed: BWC, Brawley, CA - Destination: BWC - Airport: BWC, Brawley Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 16,600 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 16,600 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20080129009999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080129009999A), Jan 29, 2008: Bell OH58A, Brawley, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot of N902SF was conducting agricultural spraying operations at night. While flying between job sites the helicopter struck high tension power… ## Other investigations on N902SF (2) 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 WPR22LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA032), Nov 9, 2021: Bell OH-58A (N902SF), Holtville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after becoming spatially disoriented when the helicopter entered low-level haze/fog. - [NTSB WPR12LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA096), Jan 21, 2012: Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A (N902SF), Brawley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the main rotor mast due to fatigue cracks that originated from corrosion pits. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended… 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.