# NTSB MIA89LA204: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, N47345, Greenwood, MS, July 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1989, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, MS
- Coordinates: 33.509071, -90.190002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5091&lon=-90.1900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA204

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A MAIN ROTOR BLADE PITCH CHANGE HORN AND/OR ATTACHING BOLT(S).

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotorcraft flight control,pitch change horn - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT, THE HELICOPTER WENT OUT OF CONTROL & BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED DESCENT. THE CYCLIC & COLLECTIVE CONTROLS WERE NON-RESPONSIVE, BUT LEFT PEDAL WAS APPLIED BEFORE THE HELICOPTER CRASHED & IT CRASHED IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROLS REVEALED THAT ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE PITCH CHANGE HORN HAD FAILED, AS WELL AS THE ATTACHING BOLTSFOR BOTH PITCH CHANGE HORNS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS HAD FAILED, THEN THE OTHER FAILURES WERE FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47345](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47345-1997-08-25), registration cancelled 1997-08-25, S/N 76002 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 76-002
- Airframe hours: 2696
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AIF 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Valley Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Turner, Danny
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: M42, GRENADA, MS
- Destination: 522, IHA BENA, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,219 total, 2,263 in this make and model, 10,833 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 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 19890721024619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890721024619A), Jul 21, 1989: Bell OH13ETEXHELI, Greenwood, MS, Substantial damage. Pit horn bolt failed allowed rotation and failure. Helicopter dropped nose low and pitched up before impact.

## Other investigations on N47345 (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 FTW88DRD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD12), Jul 11, 1988: Texas Helicopter M74C (N47345), Rayville, LA, destroyed

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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