# NTSB WPR22LA032: Bell OH-58A, N902SF, Holtville, CA, November 9, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 9, 2021, 03:50 local (11:50 UTC) - Place: Holtville, CA - Coordinates: 32.66, -115.66 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6600&lon=-115.6600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after becoming spatially disoriented when the helicopter entered low-level haze/fog. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, he encountered some “low-level haze/fog” as he maneuvered the helicopter towards the load truck. After safely landing, he decided to add fuel and return to his operating base. Shortly after departure, the fog thickened so he decided to return to the load site. The pilot reported that he was headed in the direction of the load truck but became spatially disorientated as the haze/fog thickened. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground coming to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N902SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902SF-2023-03-06), registration cancelled 2023-03-06, S/N 70-15406, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH-58A - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-series) (registry code 03031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15406 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 14521 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20C 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 91 - Operator: Farm Aviation - Registered owner: Bank Of Utah Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 8, 2021, 82 hours before - Departed: KBWC, Brawley, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,615 total, 1,515 in this make and model, 3,485 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 135° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KIPL, 12 nm away - METAR: KIPL 091153Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM CLR 16/04 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP168 T01610044 10194 20139 51005 ## 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 20211109018009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211109018009A), Nov 9, 2021: Bell OH-58A, Holtville, CA, Substantial damage. Holtville, CA on 11/9/2021, N902SF, a Bell OH-58, struck a sprinkler in the field while performing 14CFR part 137 crop dusting operations, the helicopter… ## Other investigations on N902SF (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB WPR12LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA096), Jan 21, 2012: Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A (N902SF), Brawley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the main rotor mast due to fatigue cracks that originated from corrosion pits. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended… - [NTSB LAX08CA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA054), Jan 30, 2008: Bell OH-58A (N902SF), Brawley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. A factor in the accident was the dark night conditions. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104233. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12999376&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB-%20Redacted%20flattened-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13003198&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20508%20Email-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12965748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPR22LA032-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.