Arrow Aircraft Co. OH-58A accident near Crows Landing, CA
On January 12, 2000, an Arrow Aircraft Co. OH-58A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Crows Landing, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 12, 2000
- Place
- Crows Landing, CA
- Aircraft
- Arrow Aircraft Co. OH-58A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.389°N, 121.050°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20381
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 11, 2000, at 2100 hours Pacific standard time, an Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. OH-58A helicopter, N901SF, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in an agricultural field 3 miles southwest of Crows Landing, California. The airline transport certificated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter, operated as a public-use aircraft under 14 CFR Part 91 by the San Francisco (California) Police Department (SFPD), was conducting a night cross-country flight. The helicopter departed from Porterville, California, at 1915, and was destined for San Francisco. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the nearest weather reporting locations and no flight plan was filed. According to police department personnel, the helicopter was flown to Porterville the prior day for routine (50-hour) maintenance. Porterville is the location of Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., holder of the helicopter's type certificate. Personnel at Arrow Falcon said that the helicopter arrived in Porterville about 1230 on Monday, January 10. The pilot had intended to arrive earlier (about 0730), but was delayed departing by fog in San Francisco. They departed from Porterville for the return flight at 1915 on January 11th. The pilot's wife said she spoke with him between 1400 and 1600 on the afternoon of the accident, before he left Porterville. She did not recall anything in the conversation that suggested he felt he was under pressure to return. He asked her about the weather, and she told him there was a storm approaching and to wait another night in Porterville
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from terrain during a turn to reverse direction after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a full weather briefing before departure which accurately forecast the conditions encountered.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
