Pilot Debrief

TEXAS HELICOPTER CORP OH-13E/M74 near Santa Maria, CA — 2013-09-29

Final reportWPR13LA429
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Date
2013-09-29
Location
Santa Maria, CA, USA
Aircraft
TEXAS HELICOPTER CORP OH-13E/M74
Registration
N38113
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during a low-altitude maneuver.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided wires after scouting the field for hazards.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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