Garlick Helicopters INC OH-58A+ accident near Cisco, Georgia, June 18, 2024
On June 18, 2024 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1972 Garlick Helicopters INC OH-58A+, registered N72BM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Cisco, Georgia. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A reported total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2024 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cisco, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Garlick Helicopters INC OH-58A+ NO SERIES, built 1972 · all OH-58A+s on the register
- Registration
- N72BM · registry record · serial 72-21248
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter was performing an aerial application flight. He reported that, while taking off after loading chemical for the third application flight of the day, the helicopter felt “heavy,” but all the engine instruments were in the normal operating range, so he continued the flight. During the first teardrop turn back to the field, the engine rpm dropped and he saw that the red “engine out” light was illuminated. The pilot immediately looked for a place to land and tried to land between two trees. The helicopter contacted the trees and rolled over, coming to rest inverted and resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tail rotor assembly. Examination of the engine and a successful engine test run did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the reason for the 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
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,415 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,334 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 4, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,118 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 9, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce T63-A-720 (turboshaft); 6,118 hours total
- Operator: Vertical Vegetation Management LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 31,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from DNN, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDNN 181735Z AUTO 13010KT 10SM SCT070 SCT260 BKN310 BKN350 30/19 A3017 RMK AO2 T02980188
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA24LA267.