Bell OH 58A accident near Omaha, Nebraska, April 16, 2019
On April 16, 2019 at about 12:30 pm local time, a 1971 Bell OH 58A (helicopter), registered N109PD, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Omaha, Nebraska (North Omaha Airport). It was a public-use flight (local) under public-use (government) rules. No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 2019 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Omaha, Nebraska · North Omaha Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell OH 58A No Series, built 1971 · all OH 58As on the register
- Registration
- N109PD · no longer on the register · serial 71-20455
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff and while climbing through 200 to 250 ft above ground level in a left turn, the pilots of the helicopter noted an audible horn, low main rotor rpm, and a loss of altitude” indicating a loss of rotor RPM and engine power." The flying pilot entered an autorotation to recover rotor rpm, and the pilots located a forced landing location. Upon touchdown, the forward landing gear skids dug into the soft terrain, and the helicopter rocked forward and backward, resulting in the main rotor contacting the tail boom. An examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was removed and placed in a production test cell for an engine test run. The engine responded normally to all power demands without surging or hesitation. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,115 hours in all; 3,950 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 4,115 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 20, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,327 hours in all; 38 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 2,925 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 15, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,099.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 16, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20C (turboshaft); 6,588 hours total
- Operator: Omaha Police Department
The flight
- Departed from: 3NO Omaha NE at 12:30 pm
- Destination: BTA Blair NE
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 10:52 am from OMA, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 5, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpts of Maintenance Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Rolls Royce Engine Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Rolls Royce | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.