Bell OH-58A N902SF

Summary

On 9 November 2021 at about 11:50 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N902SF, operated by Farm Aviation, was involved in an accident near Holtville, California, 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

9 November 2021 at 11:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Holtville, California, United States

Coordinates

32.6600, -115.6600

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N902SF

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1970

Engines

1

Operator

Farm Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brawley → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

WPR22LA032

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after becoming spatially disoriented when the helicopter entered low-level haze/fog.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, he encountered some “low-level haze/fog” as he maneuvered the helicopter towards the load truck. After safely landing, he decided to add fuel and return to his operating base. Shortly after departure, the fog thickened so he decided to return to the load site. The pilot reported that he was headed in the direction of the load truck but became spatially disorientated as the haze/fog thickened. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground coming to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.