# NTSB OAK79DVG53: Bell OH-13H, N51849, Napa, CA, June 15, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 15, 1979
- Place: Napa, CA · NAPA, CA
- Location: 38.2971° N, 122.3010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Napa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2971&lon=-122.3010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK79DVG53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVG53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1049  79/6/15  NR.NAPA,CA            BELL OH-13H         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0820                    N51849              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 32, 3900 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            225 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         NAPA,CA                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1500                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY 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 - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -MOUNTAINOUS
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  600                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51849](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51849-1982-08-24), registration cancelled 1982-08-24, S/N 78017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL OH-13H
- 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 19790615012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790615012449A), Jun 15, 1979: Ccoptr OH13HCCOPTER, Napa, CA, Destroyed. Struck wires during ag operation. Stated sun in eyes obscured powerline.

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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