# NTSB OAK75FVG46: Vertol 42A, N10109, Chico, CA, March 4, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 4, 1975
- Place: Chico, CA · CHICO, CA
- Location: 39.7285° N, 121.8375° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chico, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7285&lon=-121.8375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 148001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK75FVG46
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG46

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0257   75/3/4  NR.CHICO,CA           VERTOL 42A          CR-  0  0  1  *ERROR-INVALID CODE*      COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1730                    N10109              PX-  0  0  0                            AGE 42, 6600 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            250 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         CHICO,CA                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: CARBURETOR
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  240                               DENSE WITH TREES
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- CHEM SPRAY VAPORS ENTERED CARB INLET DUCT.SPRAYING ALMONDS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10109](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10109-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 53-4327A, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VERTOL 42A
- Registry model: [Vertol 42A](https://openairdocs.org/model/vertol-42a) (registry code 9420102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R-1820-66](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-66) (registry code 67021, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19750304003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750304003279A), Mar 4, 1975: Boeing 42A, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Chem spray vapors entered carb inlet duct. Spraying almonds.

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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