# NTSB LAX87DUM04: Texas Helicopter M74L-WASP, N1001Z, Holtville, CA, May 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1987, 20:00 local (May 12, 1987, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Holtville, CA
- Coordinates: 32.830661, -115.189804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8307&lon=-115.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - electrical system,generator - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE GENERATOR WAS INOPERATIVE. THERE WERE NO OTHER REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1001Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER M74L-WASP
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 81-036
- Airframe hours: 2093
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: R.J. Moore And Assoc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1987, 35 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 9,850 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 2 nm away

## 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 19870511012859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870511012859A), May 11, 1987: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Holtville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost electrical power on night spraying run. Attention diverted,struck powerline. Electrical generator had failed.

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.