# NTSB LAX86LUG01: Texas Helicopter M74A, N51862, Daggett, CA, October 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1985, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Daggett, CA
- Coordinates: 34.860771, -116.809448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8608&lon=-116.8094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LUG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LUG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF FOR A FERTILIZER SPREADING OPERATION WITH AN EXTERNAL LOAD BUCKET, WHEN THE ENG HAD A PARTIAL PWR LOSS AT 100 FT AGL. A DESCENT WAS STARTED AND THE BUCKET WAS DISENGAGED. HOWEVER, WHILE THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE HELICOPTER, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. WHEN THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST, IT WAS LAYING ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED TE MOVABLE BREAKER OF THE LEFT MAGNETO BREAKER POINT ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND BROKEN OFF AND LAYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE MAGNETO HOUSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51862](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51862-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 79-028, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter M74A
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13h-m74a) (registry code 8930105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 79-02B
- Airframe hours: 1069
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aerohead Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1985, 35 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,013 total, 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19851019056909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851019056909A), Oct 19, 1985: Bell OH13HTEXHELI, Daggett, CA, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on takeoff. Released bucket but hit tail rotor, then main rotor and rolled onto side on landing.

## Other investigations on N51862 (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 LAX88DUQ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUQ04), Aug 19, 1988: Texas Helicopter M74A (N51862), Lancaster, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI80FER50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FER50), Jun 23, 1980: Bell OH-13H (N51862), Olivia, MN, destroyed

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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