Low Altitude Operation/Event: Bell OH-58A, N288NS; accident occurred February 18, 2020 in Calexico, Imperial County, California

Forward Fuselage 

 Top of Helicopter and Engine Compartment 

 Cabin Area 

Left Side of Helicopter 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N288NS

Location: Calexico, California 

Accident Number: WPR20CA092

Date & Time: February 17, 2020, 19:15 Local

Registration: N288NS

Aircraft: Bell OH 58A 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he sprayed a row on the field and then climbed the helicopter to avoid wires on the south side of the field. He then turned the helicopter right and began to descend back to the field. After he cleared the wires, he entered the field's spray line and began raising the collective and noticed that the torque gauge was responding; however, he failed to arrest the descent, and the helicopter subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in impact with terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Descent rate - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Miscellaneous/other

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)

Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Post-impact Roll over

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 

Age: 41,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: April 18, 2019

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 11, 2019

Flight Time: 2713 hours (Total, all aircraft), 713 hours (Total, this make and model), 2583 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell 

Registration: N288NS

Model/Series: OH 58A No Series 

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Year of Manufacture: 1970 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special) 

Serial Number: 70-15288

Landing Gear Type: High skid

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 28, 2019 100 hour 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3200 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 32 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Turbo shaft

Airframe Total Time: 11218 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce

ELT: Not installed

Engine Model/Series: C20C SERIES

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 420 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Night

Observation Facility, Elevation: IPL,-54 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

Observation Time: 

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 

Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Imperial, CA (IPL) 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Imperial, CA (IPL)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 10:15 Local 

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 33.133335,-115.699996(est)