# NTSB MIA01TA121: Bell OH-58C, N91335, Panama City, FL, April 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: April 12, 2001, 20:10 local (Apr 13, 2001, 01:10 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.204721, -85.82389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2047&lon=-85.8239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01TA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01TA121 ## Probable cause The poor in-flight planning by the pilot for failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to begin spray operations resulting in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, subsequent in flight loss of control, and in flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the first flight departed at 1915 to spray chemical for mosquitoes but returned due to plugged spray nozzles that he noted midpoint of the second spray pass. Without securing the engine, the plugged nozzles were replaced and the flight departed to again spray chemical. After takeoff while flying about 200-250 feet above ground level (agl) at an indicated airspeed of 30-40 knots, with a 10-15 knot wind from the southeast, he began a left turn to line up for his spray swath. The helicopter yawed 20-30 degrees to the right which could not be corrected with full left anti-torque pedal input. He lowered the collective in an attempt to recover but with insufficient altitude, the helicopter collided with trees then the ground. He further stated that there was no engine or flight control malfunction and the right yaw is a characteristic of "loss of tail rotor effectiveness." ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2001, about 2010 central daylight time, a Bell OH-58C, N91335, registered to and operated by Beach Mosquito Control District, crashed shortly after takeoff from the Beach Mosquito Control District Heliport, Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the public-use flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that the first flight departed at 1915, to spray chemical for mosquitoes but returned due to plugged spray nozzles that he noted midpoint of the second spray pass. Without securing the engine, the plugged nozzles were replaced and the flight departed to again spray chemical. After takeoff while flying about 200-250 feet above ground level (agl) at an indicated airspeed of 30-40 knots, with a 10-15 knot wind from the southeast, he began a left turn to line up for his spray swath. The helicopter yawed 20-30 degrees to the right which could not be corrected with full left anti-torque pedal input. He lowered the collective in an attempt to recover but with insufficient altitude, the helicopter collided with trees then the ground. He further stated that there was no engine or flight control malfunction and the right yaw is a characteristic of "loss of tail rotor effectiveness." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91335](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91335-2003-06-11), registration cancelled 2003-06-11, S/N 70-15345 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell OH-58C - Registry model: [Bell OH-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58c) (registry code 1181580) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15345 - Airframe hours: 3735.7 - Engines: Allison T63-A720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: Beach Mosquito Control District - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 26, 2000, 30 hours before - Departed: FA34, Panama City, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 17, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 1,221 total, 353 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: PFN, 7 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 20010412008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010412008909A), Apr 12, 2001: Arofal OH58C, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. (-23)The pilot stated that after the first flight to spray chemicals for mosquitos, the flight returned after he recognized that two of the spray nozzles were… 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.