# NTSB MKC85FA114: Bell OH-13E, N29WL, Jonesboro, AR, May 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, AR
- Coordinates: 35.8194, -90.68048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8194&lon=-90.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD ON SOFT TERRAIN, BUT THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM & SCATTERED PARTS AHEAD OF & TO THE RGT OF THE FLT PATH. THE FLAGMAN WAS APRX 100 FT AHEAD OF THE IMPACT POINT & WAS STRUCK BY FLYING DEBRIS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT DID NOT POSSESS AN FAA HELICOPTER RATING NOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION CERTIFICATE. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAGES WERE NOT RELIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29WL-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 520, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL OH-13E
- Registry model: [Bell OH-13E](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-13e) (registry code 1180809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6VS-335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6vs-335-series) (registry code 27040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 520
- Airframe hours: 4182
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6V-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tony Miles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,252 total, 102 in this make and model, 2,161 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850529020449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850529020449A), May 29, 1985: Bell OH13EISENBG, Jonesboro, AR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during swath run. Touched down hard and rolled. Flagman injured by debris. Not RH rated or ag cert.

## Other investigations on N29WL (2)

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 MIA76DKJ86](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKJ86), Jul 24, 1976: Bell 47D1 (N29WL), Centre, AL, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC76FCD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCD07), Aug 30, 1975: Bell H-13E (N29WL), Collins, IA, 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.

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