Arrow Falcon Exporters OH58 N503DR

Summary

On 27 August 2012 at about 15:03 local time, a Arrow Falcon Exporters OH58 registered N503DR, operated by Del Rio Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Escalon, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 August 2012 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Escalon, California, United States

Coordinates

37.8264, -121.0981

Aircraft

Arrow Falcon Exporters OH58

Registration

N503DR

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Del Rio Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Escalon → Escalon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA371

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude agricultural application, which resulted in a loss of control and 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 was finishing an agricultural application to an orchard when a witness observed the helicopter enter a steep right bank and then descend into the orchard. The helicopter was found lying on its right side, and several trees near the wreckage were damaged. The pilot could not recall the circumstances of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, during the application, the pilot did not maintain sufficient clearance from the trees, which resulted in a collision with the trees, loss of control, and subsequent impact with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.