# NTSB LAX92LA378: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, N38099, Chandler, AZ, September 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1992, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.319797, -111.869041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3198&lon=-111.8690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA378

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE PERFORMANCE AND WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA OF THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE CHEMICAL LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING FUEL AND RELOADING WITH A CHEMICAL HERBICIDE, THE HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING A LANDING/LOADING PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A TRUCK, TO CONTINUE AGRICULTURAL SPRAY OPERATIONS.  AS THE HELICOPTER LEFT THE PLATFORM, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND JETTISON THE CHEMICAL LOAD.  THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO A COTTON FIELD AND ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE.  EXAMINATION OF WEIGHT AND BALANCE, AND PERFORMANCE CHARTS REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION TO PREVENT THIS ACCIDENT WAS TO NOT OVERLOAD THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38099](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38099-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 77-006, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 77-006
- Airframe hours: 2628
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Flight Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 1992, 37 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,680 total, 480 in this make and model, 3,507 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19920906035529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920906035529A), Sep 6, 1992: Bell OH13M74TEXH, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after leaving truck helipad. Skids caught in cotton. Helicopter rolled over. Gross weight. Hot day.

## Other investigations on N38099 (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 ATL99FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA132), Sep 16, 1999: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 (N38099), Heflin, AL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot of N9010T's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering, resulting in a midair collision with N30899. A factor was the sun glare.
- [NTSB ATL80DLG12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DLG12), May 30, 1980: Texas Heli M-74 (N38099), Walterboro, SC, 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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