Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport,
Calipatria, California.

Location: The Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport is located 1 mile north west of Calipatria, California.

History:

Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport Today:  Agricultural operations; Ultralights;  Obstructions reported; lighted flag pole;


Do not use this photo for navigation purposes

Airport Services and Amenities:  Restaurant on the field; Calipatria Inn; Lodging nearby;

Special Events and Attractions: Birdwatching; Wildlife Refuge;

Airport Area Accident History:

Accident occurred Thursday, March 11, 2004 in Calipatria, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/2/2004
Aircraft: Ayres S2R-600, registration: N8520V
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and ground looped during an off airport landing in a plowed field. Prior to takeoff, the pilot loaded the airplane with chemical application and had the left tank filled with fuel. After the airplane was airborne, he felt the engine lose power, but the instrument gauges showed normal indications. He decided to open the dump gate in an effort to release the chemical load, and prevent the airplane from stalling. The airplane lost complete power, and the pilot began to search for adequate terrain to land. During touchdown in a plowed field, the airplane bounced back into the air and veered to the left, crossing several field rows. During the second touchdown, the main wheels crossed the plowed furrows and the airplane ground looped. After the accident the pilot found out that prior to departure, the airplane was refueled with Jet-A fuel, as opposed to the required Avgas. While at the fuel island, a new employee had mistakenly filled the Avgas fuel truck with Jet-A fuel. The employee then used the Jet-A fuel in the truck to refuel the airplane. In an effort to help avoid similar problems, the operator has ordered new nozzles for the fueling points to help distinguish the Jet-A tank from Avgas tank. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the failure of ground personnel to refuel the airplane with the proper fuel grade/octane, resulting in the airplane's loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to detect the fuel problem during a preflight inspection. ===
Accident occurred Friday, April 04, 2003 in CALIPATRIA, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/28/2004
Aircraft: Bell OH-58A, registration: N38FA
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
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. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter, and an inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. ===
Accident occurred Wednesday, March 08, 2000 in CALIPATRIA, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 12/6/2002
Aircraft: Arrow Aircraft Co. OH-58A, registration: N39FA
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The helicopter took off to the south and began a climb. Upon reaching about 60 feet above the ground, the helicopter lost power. At this time the helicopter was approaching power lines and the pilot used cyclic to climb over them. After clearing the wires, the pilot attempted an auto-rotative landing but there was insufficient main rotor speed to cushion the landing. The helicopter impacted the ground and the main rotor flexed severing the tail boom. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate checklist procedure prior to departure, which did not verify the fuel selector was in the proper position for flight, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed for an auto-rotative landing.

Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport Approach/Takeoff: