Bell OH-58A N523SP

Summary

On 26 September 1999 at about 12:50 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N523SP was involved in an accident near Ratcliff, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 September 1999 at 12:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Ratcliff, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.3906, -95.1304

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N523SP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jasper → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99LA255

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the tree while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. Factors were the sunglare, and the pilot's diverted attention while adjusting the GPS receiver.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter contacted a tree during an aerial application flight. According to the pilot he was turning from the south toward the east when he became distracted due to the 'sun, and making an input into the GPS receiver.' Subsequently, the tailrotor blades contacted a tree, the helicopter impacted the ground, and the tailboom separated.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.