Bell OH-58A accident near Yuma, Arizona, February 7, 2023
On February 7, 2023 at about 4:35 am local time, a 1968 Bell OH-58A (helicopter), registered N36FA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Yuma, Arizona. 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 7, 2023 · about 4:35 am local time
- Place
- Yuma, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell OH-58A, built 1968 · all OH-58As on the register
- Registration
- N36FA · registry record · serial 68-16765
- 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 conducting an agricultural application flight in dark night conditions. He stated that, after completing the chemical application, he landed on the load truck and the hopper was filled with 50 gallons of water to rinse out the applicator system. The pilot departed from the load truck toward an open field about 200 yards away. The pilot stated that, while maneuvering about 40 ft above ground level when the spray tank was almost empty, the helicopter began to “bounce and tilt in all directions,” then “fish-tailed” before the engine lost total power. The pilot stated that he was unable to judge the helicopter’s height above the ground, and the helicopter subsequently landed hard, during which the main rotor blades severed the tail rotor drive shaft. Postaccident examination of the helicopter and engine revealed no anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. About 5 gallons of fuel was found in the fuel tank, 1.4 gallons of which was unusable. No engine abnormalities were found during an engine run on a test stand. 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
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring › Documentation/record keeping › Maintenance records › Maintenance provider
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 20,770 hours in all; 7,800 in this make and model; 143 in the last 90 days; 65.7 in the last 30 days; 20,700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,629.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2022; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce T63-A720 (turboshaft); 9,580 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AZ25 Somerton AZ at 1:35 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 8:57 pm from KNYL, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KNYL 060457Z AUTO 30007KT 10SM CLR 16/M02 A3002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on November 14, 2024. 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.
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.