# NTSB LAX91LA351: Texas Helicopter M74L, N51855, Lodi, CA, August 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1991, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Location: 38.1216° N, 121.2908° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lodi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1216&lon=-121.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA351
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA351

## Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE PILOT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND 'ALL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH THE CYCLIC WAS LOST.' HE NOTED THAT THE HELICOPTER PITCHED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED IN A CORN FIELD. THE HELICOPTER WAS EXAMINED IN DETAIL BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR FROM THE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE. ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTORS REPORT, HE IDENTIFIED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, DRIVE TRAIN OR CONTROL SYSTEM. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS, LINES AND THE CARBURETOR. HE SAID THAT HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A SPRAY BOOM OR ROTOR BLADE STRIKE PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. THE INSPECTOR NOTED THAT THE GROUND CONTRACT MARKS WERE CONSISTENT WITH A NEARLY LEVEL ATTITUDE GROUND IMPACT, WITH ABOUT 70 FEET OF STRAIGHT GROUND SCARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51855](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51855-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 78-022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER 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: 78-022
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1E 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Sierra Helicopter Services
- Registered owner: Robert May
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 6, 1991, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19910807033089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910807033089A), Aug 7, 1991: Bell OH13HTEXHELI, Lodi, CA, Substantial damage. Heard loud bang,cylic control lost during takeoff. Impacted in field. Cartwheeled. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N51855 (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 SEA80FYP28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYP28), Jul 19, 1980: Texas Hel OH-13H (N51855), Moses Lake, WA, 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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