NTSB investigations: Bell OH-58A, CA

20 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell OH-58A. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19982026
NTSB investigations: Bell OH-58A, CA per year, 1998–2026: 20 cases
19981
19992
20002
20021
20031
20041
20051
20081
20122
20141
20162
20201
20211
20221
20232

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181579'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB WPR24LA041Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Brawley, CAA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 8 bearing and the subsequent failure of the scavenge oil pump.Nov 21, 2023 · N158TR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Guernsey, CAThe pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact…Aug 9, 2023 · N861CC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA140Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Merced, CAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike and ground impact.Apr 1, 2022 · N9287U · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Holtville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after becoming spatially disoriented when the helicopter entered low-level haze/fog.Nov 9, 2021 · N902SF · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA092Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH 58A · Colexico, CAThe pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.Feb 19, 2020 · N288NS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH 58A · Sacramento, CAThe failure of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue.Dec 4, 2016 · N916PD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH 58A · Brawley, CAThe engine's degraded performance due to excessive wear of the engine bleed valve, which prevented it from closing during the accident flight. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to overhaul the bleed valve within the…Jul 2, 2016 · N6251G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14TA149Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58A · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's decision to attempt a mission at night with known en route weather conditions below operating minimums, likely due to self-induced pressure, and then continue flight beyond the alternate landing airport as weather conditions deteriorated, which…Mar 27, 2014 · N497E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13GA044Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58 · Altadena, CAThe landing pilot's failure to maintain clearance with from obstacles a parked prior to landinghelicopter and the other pilot's failure to park the helicopter inside of a marked parking pad. Contributing to the accident was the landing pilot's obscured…Nov 17, 2012 · N911FA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A · Brawley, CAThe 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 overhaul interval for the main rotor mast.Jan 21, 2012 · N902SF · Substantial damageNTSB LAX08CA054Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58A · Brawley, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. A factor in the accident was the dark night conditions.Jan 30, 2008 · N902SF · Substantial damageNTSB LAX05FA264Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSan Joaquin Helicopters OH-58A+ · Lancaster, CAThe pinion to turbine shaft coupling failed in fatigue due to a misaligned turbine shaft, which resulted in a loss of engine power.Aug 10, 2005 · N177SJ · Substantial damageNTSB LAX04TA202Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58A+ · Bakersfield, CAloss of engine power due to the separation of the diaphragm portion of the repaired second-stage turbine nozzle from the rim portion due to the use of an inadequate cleaning method to clean the joint prior to the braze repair during overhaul by the…May 4, 2004 · N397E · Substantial damageNTSB LAX03LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH-58A · Calipatria, CAThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter, and an inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.Apr 4, 2003 · N38FA · Substantial damageNTSB LAX02TA118Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58A · Chico, CAthe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors in the accident were the pilot's misjudged flare resulting in a hard landing and the lack of recent experience in emergency procedures by the pilot.Mar 29, 2002 · N487BC · Substantial damageNTSB LAX00LA118Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArrow OH-58A · Calipatria, CAThe pilot's inadequate checklist procedure prior to departure, which did not verify the fuel selector was in the proper position for flight, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed for an autorotative landing.Mar 8, 2000 · N39FA · Substantial damageNTSB LAX00GA073Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportArrow OH-58A · Crows Landing, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from terrain during a turn to reverse direction after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a full weather briefing before…Jan 12, 2000 · N901SF · DestroyedNTSB LAX00TA030Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58A · La Puente, CAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Nov 6, 1999 · N911RN · DestroyedNTSB LAX99LA319Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH58A · Salinas, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from all ground obstacles during a low altitude aerial application flight.Sep 18, 1999 · N5800K · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98LA134Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH-58A · Huron, CAA loss of engine power due to deteriorated O-ring seals in the fuel boost pump, which allowed air to enter the fuel lines. Factors in the accident were the inadequate manufacturer's inspection criteria for the fuel boost pump O-ring seals and the resulting…Apr 9, 1998 · N176SJ · Substantial damage