# NTSB LAX98LA309: Texas Helicopter OH-13H, N1001G, Gilroy, CA, September 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Gilroy, CA - Coordinates: 37.060344, -121.550308 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0603&lon=-121.5503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA309 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was headed back to the airport, about 50 feet agl, and felt a strong vibration throughout the entire helicopter. The aircraft pitched up and gained about 50 to 75 feet of altitude and began to turn to the right. The pilot reported that he lowered the collective, applied full left cyclic, and leveled the aircraft. He stated that about 15 feet agl he lost control and the helicopter impacted the ground in a 30- to 45-degree left roll attitude. The pilot reported that the engine was still running for about 5 to 10 seconds after impact, then quit on its own. He stated that he had not experienced any malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident. No discrepancies were found during an examination of the airframe, powerplant, and control systems. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Texas Helicopter Corporation OH-13H, N1001G, crashed in a field near Gilroy, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application flight, and originated at the Hollister, California, airport, about 0700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had finished spraying the field and was headed back to the airport, approximately 50 feet agl, when he felt a strong vibration throughout the entire helicopter. The aircraft pitched up and gained about 50 to 75 feet of altitude and began to turn to the right. The pilot reported that he lowered the collective, applied full left cyclic, and leveled the aircraft. He stated that the helicopter was then flying approximately 90 degrees to the original direction of flight. The pilot reported that about 15 feet agl, he lost control and the helicopter impacted the ground in a 30- to 45-degree left roll attitude. He stated that the engine ran for about 5 to 10 seconds after impact, then quit on its own. He reported that he had not experienced any malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident. The aircraft was examined following recovery. Control continuity was established from the cockpit to the respective actuators for the collective, cyclic, and antitorque systems. There was no evidence of object damage to the airplane or rotors. There was no catastrophic damage noted to the engine or engine accessories. Examination of the main rotor hub and assembly did not reveal any discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1001G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1001G-2016-07-27), registration cancelled 2016-07-27, S/N 79-035, built 1979 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 79-035 - Airframe hours: 3635 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Grady Cantrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1998, 21 hours before - Departed: 307, HOLLISTER, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,691 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,602 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 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 19980926037629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980926037629A), Sep 26, 1998: Bell OH13HTEXHELI, Gilroy, CA, Destroyed. (.19)On September 26, 1998, at 1100 hours pacific daylight time, a Texas helicopter corporation OH-13H, N1001G, crashed in a field near Gilroy, California. The… ## Other investigations on N1001G (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 ATL83LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA220), Jun 8, 1983: Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A (N1001G), Ruleville, MS, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.