Event LAX03LA126

Factual narrative

On April 4, 2003, about 0555 Pacific standard time, a Bell OH-58A, N38FA, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control during the initial takeoff climb near Calipatria, California. Farm Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed about 0555 from a dirt road 8 miles west of Calipatria. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 07 minutes north latitude and 115 degrees 40 minutes west longitude. The accident flight was the first flight of the day for accident pilot. The accident pilot was relieving the owner/pilot. The owner/pilot exited, and left the helicopter running. He briefed the accident pilot while ground personnel serviced the helicopter. The 50-foot loading hose connected to the right side of the helicopter just aft of the entry door. The accident pilot boarded the helicopter from the right side, and prepared for takeoff. He observed the loader walking away from the helicopter. However, he failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached. As the pilot executed the takeoff, he removed the slack from the loading hose. When the hose became taut, it pulled the helicopter down until the main rotor blades collided with the ground. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, 180 degrees from the departure path. The accident flight was the first flight of the day for commercial certificated pilot. He was relieving the owner/pilot, who had exited the helicopter and left it running, with a 50-foot loading hose connected to the right side of the helicopter just aft of the entry door. The helicopter was being loaded with product prior to an aerial application flight. The accident pilot boarded the helicopter from the right side, and prepared for takeoff. He observed the loader walking away from the helicopter, but failed to notice that the 50-foot loading hose was still attached. As the pilot executed the takeoff, the hose became taut, and it pulled the helicopter down until the main rotor blades collided with the ground. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, 180 degrees from the departure path. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12