# NTSB LAX81DUG37: Texas Heli M74, N38105, Blythe, CA, July 5, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 5, 1981
- Place: Blythe, CA · BLYTHE, CA
- Location: 33.6535° N, 114.6218° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Blythe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6535&lon=-114.6218&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DUG37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUG37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3499   81/7/5  NR.BLYTHE, CA         TEXAS HELI M74      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0230                    N38105              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 41, 12000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 3000 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BLYTHE, CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED              TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - DOWNWIND                           PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- TAIL ROTOR DRIVE GEAR,P/N 47-620-568-1,FAILED.LOCTITE FD ON BEARINGS,NOT ICW MAINT & OVRHL PROCS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38105-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 77-009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELI M74
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810705038489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810705038489A), Jul 5, 1981: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Blythe, CA, Destroyed. Bearing on tail rotor drive failed during ag operation. Helicopter self destructed on emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N38105 (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 LAX79DUK09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUK09), Aug 21, 1979: Bell M-74 (N38105), Ehrenberg, AZ, substantial damage

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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