# NTSB WPR13LA429: Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, N38113, Santa Maria, CA, September 29, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2013, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Maria, CA - Coordinates: 34.967224, -120.544441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9672&lon=-120.5444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88153 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88153/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88153 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA429 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8930103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before he began his first aerial application run, he flew overhead to scout the designated field for hazards and noted a power line near the field. He stated that he had a "momentary lapse" during his first application pass and flew through the wires, which shattered the cabin's main Plexiglass bubble and struck the main rotor mast. Both push-pull flight control tubes were compromised just above the swashplate. The helicopter fell to the ground and came to rest upright on its landing skids. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2013, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Texas Helicopter Corp OH-13/M74, N38113, was substantially damaged when it struck power transmission wires and impacted the ground near Santa Maria, California. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. R & S Crop Dusters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, which had originated from a nearby staging area approximately 10 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that before he began his first application run, he flew overhead scouting the designated field for hazards and noted the power line. On his first pass, he had a "momentary lapse" and flew through the wires. The biggest wire shattered the cabin's main Plexiglass bubble and struck the main rotor mast. Both push-pull flight control tubes were compromised just above the swashplate. The helicopter fell to the ground and came to rest upright on its landing skids. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38113](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38113), registered now, S/N 77-012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXAS HELICOPTER CORP OH-13E/M74 - Registry model: [Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74](https://openairdocs.org/model/texas-helicopter-oh-13e-m74) (registry code 8930103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 77-012 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 6315 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: R&S Crop Dusters Inc - Registered owner: R&S Crop Dusters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2012 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SMX, 6 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 20130929020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130929020249A), Sep 29, 2013: Texas Helicopter Corp OH-13E/M74, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot was conducting aerial application operations under 14 CFR part 137, and actively spraying an agricultural field. The… ## Other investigations on N38113 (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 FTW78DPG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPG32), May 22, 1978: Bell OH-13E (N38113), Fisher, AR, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88153. 309 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.