Bell OH-58 accident near Rome, Georgia, June 21, 2000
On June 21, 2000, a Bell OH-58 (helicopter), registered N913SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rome, Georgia. It was a public-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots failure to ensure the helicopter was on level terrain after landing. The left skid came off the ground after the passenger exited the helicopter, the slope capability was exceeded, the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover, and rolled over on its right side.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2000
- Place
- Rome, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell OH-58 · all OH-58s on the register
- Registration
- N913SP · registry record · serial 68-16779
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he landed at an unimproved field site. He thought the helicopter was on flat terrain; however the left skid was on a rut. He lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and the throttle was at 103 percent. The aerial observer exited the helicopter out the left front door. As soon as his weight was off of the airframe, the left skid came off the ground, the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover, and rolled over on its right side.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 772 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 604 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,316 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 2000; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison T63-A-720 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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 MIA00TA189.