San Joaquin Helicopters OH-58A+ accident near Lancaster, CA
On August 10, 2005, a San Joaquin Helicopters OH-58A+ (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Lancaster, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 10, 2005
- Place
- Lancaster, CA
- Aircraft
- San Joaquin Helicopters OH-58A+ · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.708°N, 118.032°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050817X01264
Official records · LAX05FA264
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 10, 2005, at 0600 Pacific daylight time, a San Joaquin Helicopters OH-58A+ restricted category helicopter, N177SJ, impacted terrain while performing aerial pesticide application to onion crops in Lancaster, California. San Joaquin Helicopters, who was also the registered owner of the helicopter, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot departed about 3 minutes prior to the accident and was completing the first pesticide application of the day when the accident occurred. According to a local farmer who was assisting in the ground portion of the aerial application, the pilot departed from a fuel and chemical loading truck about 1/2-mile south of the accident site. He estimated that the pilot flew the helicopter about 60 to 65 miles per hour and 20 feet above ground level. He maneuvered the helicopter upward to clear a house surrounded by 40-foot tall trees. The helicopter then started downward toward the field and went out of the view of the witness. The witness then drove around a corner and saw the helicopter continue downward toward the field until the nose of the helicopter impacted the ground. Upon impact, the helicopter tumbled down the field before coming to rest. As the helicopter descended toward the field, the witness did not hear any unusual noises coming from the engine, and the approach path to the field appeared normal. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held
Probable cause
The pinion to turbine shaft coupling failed in fatigue due to a misaligned turbine shaft, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
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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.
