# NTSB LAX97LA010: Texas Helicopter OH-13E, N51582, Santa Rita, CA, October 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1996, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rita, CA
- Coordinates: 36.720481, -121.629753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7205&lon=-121.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA010

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - not removed, pilot in command
  - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

Following a landing next to his service truck, the pilot got out of the helicopter to speak with the farmer.  The pilot said that both he and the loader failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached to the helicopter. He lifted off with the helicopter tethered by the hose.  When the hose became taunt, the helicopter rolled over, descended, and collided with level terrain.

## Factual narrative

On October 8, 1996, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, a Texas Helicopter OH-13E, N51582, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb about 2 miles west of Santa Rita, California.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  The helicopter was being operated by Gomes Farm Air Service, Salinas, California, as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, following a landing next to his service truck, he got out of the helicopter to speak with the farmer.  His loader serviced the helicopter with a pesticide.  The pilot said that both he and the loader failed to notice the 50-foot loading hose was still attached to the helicopter.  He lifted off with the helicopter tethered by the hose.  When the hose became taunt, the helicopter rolled over, descended and collided with level terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51582 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter OH-13E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 78-020
- Airframe hours: 5678
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gomes Farm Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 8, 1996, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,800 total, 400 in this make and model, 9,750 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 5 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 19961008047149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961008047149A), Oct 8, 1996: Cessna 172P, Santarita, CA, Destroyed. (-16) The pilot's failure to recognize the attached hose was result of human factors issues and not a result of any lack of qualifications. As a result of this…

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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