# NTSB MIA99LA200: Bell OH-13H/M74A, N51857, Sparta, GA, July 22, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1999, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.269371, -82.969032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2694&lon=-82.9690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA200

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight which resulting in his failure to remove all the tie downs, and the subsequent impact with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - tie down - not removed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during his preflight he had only untied the right side of the helicopter, when a ground crew member wanted his assistance.  When he finished with him he entered the helicopter on the right side and forgot to check all the tie downs.  He started the helicopter and attempted to takeoff with the left side still hooked  to the trailer.  When the left back spray came loose the tail popped up an the main rotor blades struck the ground.  The pilot cut the throttle an laid the helicopter on the right side. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1999, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Bell OH-13H/M74A helicopter, N51857, registered to Roland Air Chemical Inc., was substantially damaged during liftoff, near Sparta, Georgia.  The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed.  The aerial application flight was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 137.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during his preflight he "...unhooked the right side of the helicopter...when my chemical man call[ed] and wanted my assistance.  When I finished with him I went an got in on the right side of the helicopter, an forgot to check all the tie downs...cranked up and tried to take off with the left side still hooked [to] the helicopter...it was still [attached] to the trailer.  When the left back spray came loose the tail pop[ed] up an the main rotor blades struck the ground.  When that happened I cut the throttle an laid it on the right side."  The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51857 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell OH-13H/M74A (OH-13H/M74)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 78-024
- Engines: Lycoming TVO-435-F1A 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Roland Air Chemical
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 945 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 40 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 19990722009589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990722009589A), Jul 22, 1999: Bell OH13H, Sparta, GA, Substantial damage. Texas helicopter corp. OH-13H/M47A helicopter lifted off from a trailer and crashed while still tethered, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) take-off was…

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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