Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Bell OH-58A, N372NS: Fatal accident occurred June 25, 2021 in Alpine, Talladega County, Alabama

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama

Ewing Flying Service LLC


Location: Alpine, AL
Accident Number: ERA21LA269
Date & Time: June 25, 2021, 17:16 Local 
Registration: N372NS
Aircraft: GARLICK HELICOPTERS INC OH58A+ 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On June 25, 2021, about 1716 central daylight time, a Garlick Helicopters OH-58+, N372NS; was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Alpine, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

The helicopter was owned and operated by Ewing Flying Service. The commercial pilot was spraying fungicide on a corn field when the accident occurred.

Examination of the accident site indicated that the helicopter had struck a fiber optic cable that was co-located with a span of high voltage transmission lines on the south side of the field, and then had impacted terrain about 415’ from the initial strike with the fiber optic cable.

Further examination of the accident site revealed that a debris path existed which contained a piece of cable in a tree near the south side of the field, and a section of bent cable core which had come to rest in the cornfield. This debris path began around the area of the cable strike and continued on an approximate 300° magnetic heading to where the helicopter had impacted.

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GARLICK HELICOPTERS INC
Registration: N372NS
Model/Series: OH-58A+ 
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSCD,569 ft msl 
Observation Time: 17:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /20°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 130°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 11000 ft AGL 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Alpine, AL (None)
Destination: Alpine, AL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.256369,-86.251594 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

CW2 Zachary Warren Pourciau



Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Warren Pourciau, 30, of Ventress, Louisiana, entered eternal rest on Friday, June 25, 2021, when his OH-58 Agricultural Aerial Application helicopter crashed while working in Alpine, Alabama. Zachary, Army Aviator, was assigned to 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, TF-Voodoo based in Hammond, Louisiana. Prior to this assignment, he served on three deployments including Iraq Global War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Zach served in the United States Army from 2008, until his death. He started his career serving as a 91L Heavy Equipment Mechanic until 2016, when he was accepted into the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Program as an Army Aviator. 

Zach went on to achieve the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2, making Pilot In Command and accruing over 900 hours of flight time. His drive and ambition led him to pursue starting his own Agriculture Application Service, Bluewing Flying Service, which he appropriately named capturing all three of his biggest interest, flying, agriculture, and the outdoors. 

Zach knew from a young age that he was called to be a soldier. He was dedicated, passionate, intentional, adventurous, incredibly funny, fiercely loyal, and never apologetic about who he was. He was one of a kind. He was a true warrior. Although, only thirty at the time of his death, Zach impacted many people in his lifetime. He lived more life in thirty years than many, who see old age. He will always be our hero. Part of Zach's amazing spirit live on in his pride and joy Molly The Duck Dog. All who know Zach knew his passion for duck hunting and his love for Molly. They were an inseparable team. 

Zach is survived by; His parents Warren and Nancy Pourciau, sister Maddie Tarter (Talon) of New Roads, Grandparents Warren and Billie Pourciau of Livonia. As well as Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. He is preceded in death by his sister, Morgan Elizabeth, and his grandparents, Janette Perry and Santa Nicosia. Pallbearers are Benjamin Myers, Joseph Tuminaro, Rene Thibodeaux II, Lucas Bergeron, Caleb Frey, Chris Wehr, Dylan Egan and Jonathan Whitman. We consider all who loved Zach as honorary pallbearers. 

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 1, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 824 West Main St., New Roads, in the Activities Center from 9a.m.-12 p.m. A service of military honors will be held following visitation with Reverend Jeff Vincent officiating. Internment to follow at False River Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Louisiana Hunters for Heroes or a charity of your choice. 

"I'd rather live one day as a lion than a hundred days as a sheep".


A Louisiana man was killed early Friday evening in Talladega County when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near Sylacauga, authorities said.

Zachary Warren Pourciau, 30, of Ventress, La., was spraying pesticides near 700 Edwards Rd. in Alpine when the Bell Helicopter OH-58A crashed at 6:15 p.m. Friday, according to the FAA and Talladega County Coroner Shaddix Murphy.

Pourciau, who was the only person on board, was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m., Murphy said.

According to a social media page under Pourciau’s name, he was also a pilot for the Army National Guard in addition to the agriculture operation he was flying for on Friday.


1 comment:

  1. COL (Ret) Calvin and Jan WashispackSaturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:09:00 PM EDT

    In Memorial Honor to CW2 Zachary W Pourciau Louisiana National Guard.

    It is the "Soldier"

    It´s the Soldier, not the pastor/preacher, who has given us freedom of religion and worship.

    It´s the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It´s the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

    It´s the Soldier, not the demonstration organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble and demonstrate.

    It´s the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

    It´s the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote, ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

    It´s the Soldier, Who salutes the Flag, who serves beneath the Flag and whose coffin is draped by the Flag, who gives the protester the right to burn the flag.

    The American Soldier does not serve and fight because he hates who is in front of him; he serves and fights because he loves who is behind him.

    ETERNAL REST GRANT HIM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM.

    ReplyDelete