# NTSB LAX83LA053: Bell TH-13T, N3001F, Phoenix, AZ, December 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1982, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.499969, -111.979682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5000&lon=-111.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA053

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - open field
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER A PRACTICE SPRAY TURN, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING RECOVERY FROM A DESCENT BACK INTO THE FIELD. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE REPORTED WITH THE AIRFRAME, ENGINE OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PILOT WAS QUOTED AS SAYING HE REFRAINED FROM PULLING ENOUGH POWER TO STOP THE DESCENT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO OVERBOOST THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3001F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3001F-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 67-15944, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TH-13T
- Registry model: [Bell TH-13T](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-th-13t) (registry code 1180813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3663
- Airframe hours: 5224
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Cain Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Cain Air Inc.
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 700 total, 30 in this make and model, 568 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 149 °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 19821208062789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821208062789A), Dec 8, 1982: Bell TH13T, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Allowed speed and RPM decay on a practice spray run turn around. Flew into ground. Did not want to overboost engine.

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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