Bell OH-13H/M74A N51857

Summary

On 22 July 1999 at about 23:45 local time, a Bell OH-13H/M74A registered N51857 was involved in an accident near Sparta, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 1999 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Sparta, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

33.2694, -82.9690

Aircraft

Bell OH-13H/M74A

Registration

N51857

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA200

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inadequate preflight which resulting in his failure to remove all the tie downs, and the subsequent impact with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during his preflight he had only untied the right side of the helicopter, when a ground crew member wanted his assistance. When he finished with him he entered the helicopter on the right side and forgot to check all the tie downs. He started the helicopter and attempted to takeoff with the left side still hooked to the trailer. When the left back spray came loose the tail popped up an the main rotor blades struck the ground. The pilot cut the throttle an laid the helicopter on the right side. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.