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NTSB Final Report: Wade, OK

Location:

Wade, Oklahoma

Accident Number:

CEN23LA147

Date & Time:

March 29, 2023, 09:23 Local

Registration:

N82851

Aircraft:

Bell OH-58A

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Fuel contamination

Injuries:

1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under:

Part 137: Agricultural

 

 

Analysis

While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot conducted an autorotation to a field. During the autorotation, the helicopter landed hard, rolled over, and sustained substantial damage.

Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed a foamy cream-colored liquid in the airframe fuel filter and fuel line. The pilot reported that before the accident flight the helicopter was fueled from the operator’s support truck fuel tank. Initial examination of the tank showed no visible signs of fuel contamination. A subsequent visual examination, several days later, showed the same cream-colored contamination that was identified in the helicopter fuel system. The pilot reported that the truck’s fuel tank was filled the day before from his on-site fuel storage tank. The reason for the fuel contamination in the operator’s on-site fuel storage or the helicopter fuel system could not be determined. The loss of engine power was attributed to fuel contamination.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

Findings

Aircraft -(general) - Failure

Aircraft - Fuel - Fluid condition


Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Fuel contamination (Defining event)

Maneuvering - Loss of engine power (total)

Autorotation - Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-flare/touchdown -Roll over

Pilot Information

Certificate:

Airline transport; Commercial

Age:

70,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land; Single-engine sea

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

 

Instrument Rating(s):

Airplane; Helicopter

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

None

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

December 13, 2022

Occupational Pilot:

Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

April 1, 2021

Flight Time:

(Estimated) 33100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12000 hours (Total, this make and model), 31000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Bell

Registration:

N82851

Model/Series:

OH-58A

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

1972

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Restricted (Special)

Serial Number:

72-21118

Landing Gear Type:

High skid

Seats:

4

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

January 3, 2023 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

3200 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

 

Engines:

1 Turbo shaft

Airframe Total Time:

12010 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer:

ALLISON

ELT:

Installed

Engine Model/Series:

T63 SERIES

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

420 Horsepower

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

Agricultural aircraft (137)

Operator Does Business As:

 

Operator Designator Code:

TDZG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

KDUA,698 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

15 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

09:15 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

293°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Scattered / 12000 ft AGL

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

4 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

/

Wind Direction:

110°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

/

Altimeter Setting:

30.28 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

10°C / 2°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Wade, OK

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Wade, OK

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace:

Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 Minor

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

 

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

 

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

1 Minor

Latitude, Longitude:

33.847506,-96.119761

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Finne, Andrew

 

Additional Participating Persons:

Parsons, Jason; FAA-FSDO; Oklahoma City, OK

 

Original Publish Date:

May 4, 2023                                                          Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106987

 

 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.

 

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

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Created 149 days ago
by Admin

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