Garlick OH-58A+ N72BM

Summary

On 18 June 2024 at about 17:30 local time, a Garlick OH-58A+ registered N72BM, operated by Vertical Vegetation Management LLC, was involved in an accident near Cisco, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 June 2024 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cisco, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

34.9107, -84.7318

Aircraft

Garlick OH-58A+

Registration

N72BM

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Vertical Vegetation Management LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA267

1 person had minor injuries.

A reported total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the helicopter was performing an aerial application flight. He reported that, while taking off after loading chemical for the third application flight of the day, the helicopter felt “heavy,” but all the engine instruments were in the normal operating range, so he continued the flight. During the first teardrop turn back to the field, the engine rpm dropped and he saw that the red “engine out” light was illuminated. The pilot immediately looked for a place to land and tried to land between two trees. The helicopter contacted the trees and rolled over, coming to rest inverted and resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tail rotor assembly. Examination of the engine and a successful engine test run did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.