# NTSB LAX88DVD01: Texas Helicopter Wasp/M74L, N51843, Petaluma, CA, December 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1987, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.209857, -122.759841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2099&lon=-122.7598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVD01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, WHILE ON THE LAST PASS, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE THAT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE ROTOR BLADES. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51843](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51843-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 78014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER WASP/M74L
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13h-m74a) (registry code 8930105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 78-014
- Airframe hours: 1291
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 137
- Operator: Wilder, Steven, doing business as North Coast Helicopters
- Registered owner: North Coast Helicopter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: PETALUMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS, 14 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 19871211079149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871211079149A), Dec 11, 1987: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Petaluma, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with wires at end of spray run. Lost control. Hit a fence. Came to rest upside down.

## Other investigations on N51843 (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 OAK78FVA85](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVA85), Sep 16, 1978: Bell H13H (N51843), Firebaugh, CA, 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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