# NTSB OAK78FVA85: Bell H13H, N51843, Firebaugh, CA, September 16, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1978
- Place: Firebaugh, CA · FIREBAUGH, CA
- Location: 36.8511° N, 120.4526° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Firebaugh, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8511&lon=-120.4526&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FVA85
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVA85

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2211  78/9/16  NR.FIREBAUGH,CA       BELL H13H           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 14000
        TIME - 0615                    N51843              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FIREBAUGH,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ROLL OVER                                                TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TIE DOWN STRAP ACROSS LEFT SKID CAUGHT ON TRAILER AND TETHERED HELICOPER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51843](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51843-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 78014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL H13H
- Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13h-m74a) (registry code 8930105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780916024019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780916024019A), Sep 16, 1978: Texhel OH13HTEXHE, Firebaugh, CA, Destroyed. Tie down strap across left skid caught on trailer and tethered heper.

## Other investigations on N51843 (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 LAX88DVD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVD01), Dec 11, 1987: Texas Helicopter Wasp/M74L (N51843), Petaluma, CA, 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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