# NTSB MIA00TA189: Bell OH-58, N913SP, Rome, GA, June 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report - Date: June 20, 2000, 20:42 local (Jun 21, 2000, 00:42 UTC) - Place: Rome, GA - Coordinates: 34.239395, -85.169807 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2394&lon=-85.1698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00TA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51236/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00TA189 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to ensure the helicopter was on level terrain after landing. The left skid came off the ground after the passenger exited the helicopter, the slope capability was exceeded, the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover, and rolled over on its right side. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, standing ## Analysis The pilot stated he landed at an unimproved field site. He thought the helicopter was on flat terrain; however the left skid was on a rut. He lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and the throttle was at 103 percent. The aerial observer exited the helicopter out the left front door. As soon as his weight was off of the airframe, the left skid came off the ground, the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover, and rolled over on its right side. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2000, at about 2042 eastern daylight time, a Bell OH-58A, N913SP, registered to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, operating as a public-use flight, rolled over on its right side after landing in the vicinity of Rome, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported serious injuries. The helicopter was on the ground running when the accident occurred. The pilot stated he had just landed at an unimproved field site after conducting a drug eradication flight to let his aerial observer out of the helicopter. He thought he had landed on flat terrain; however, the left skid was located on a rut. He lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and the throttle remained at 103 percent. The observer unbuckled his seat belt and shoulder harness and exited the helicopter through the left door. As soon as his body weight was off of the helicopter and onto the ground, the left skid came off the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side before he could take any corrective action. Review of FM 1-203, Fundamentals of Flight states, a helicopter is susceptible to a lateral rolling tendency called dynamic rollover. This dynamic rollover can occur on level ground; however it is more likely to occur and more hazardous during slope or crosswind landing and takeoff maneuvers. Dynamic rollover starts when the helicopter has only one skid or wheel on the ground. That gear may become the pivot point for lateral roll. When this happens, lateral cyclic control response is more sluggish and less effective than a free-hovering helicopter. (For additional information see Fundamental of Flight, an attachment to this report.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N913SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N913SP-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 68-16779 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell OH-58 - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 68-16779 - Airframe hours: 5316 - Engines: Allison T63-A-720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Georgia Dept Of Public Safety - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2000, 23 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 772 total, 250 in this make and model, 604 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RMG ## 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 20000620006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000620006609A), Jun 20, 2000: Bell OH58A, Rome, GA, No damage. (-23) On June 20, 2000 around 2042 (EST) N913SP, piloted by joe wayne zebeau, certificate no. 259278931 was involved in an accident with the ground. This was a… 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.