# NTSB LAX92LA345: Texas Helicopter OH-13H, N51858, Merced, CA, August 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1992, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.350723, -120.41941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3507&lon=-120.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA345

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE CULTIVATED SOFT FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - single engine aircraft
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AND WAS RETURNING TO THE LOADING AREA WHEN THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN HARVESTED WHEAT FIELD.  THE LANDING SKIDS DUG INTO THE SOFT FIELD CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROLL OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51858](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51858-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 79-025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter OH-13H
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13h-m74a) (registry code 8930105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 79-025
- Airframe hours: 3148
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AF 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gach, Bernard
- Registered owner: Gach, Bernard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1992, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,650 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 168 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920810031129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920810031129A), Aug 10, 1992: Bell OH13HTEXHELI, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on spray run. Rolled over landing in plowed field. Fuel tank was empty.

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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