Mefford Field Airport, Tulare, CA

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Airport Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2007 in Tulare, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/27/2007
Aircraft: Piper PA-18 , registration: N2124N
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
According to the pilot, approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine "suddenly ran rough, appeared to lose power, then ran rough again." The pilot applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks, but this had no significant effect. During the forced landing in tall grass in a barley field, the airplane nosed over. The airplane's vertical fin and rudder were bent, and the propeller was damaged. After the airplane was recovered to an airport, an FAA inspector started the engine and operated it at an idle power setting. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ===
Accident occurred Monday, February 26, 2007 in Tulare, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/25/2007
Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta II, registration: N199K
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
During a practice hover autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left skid and experienced a dynamic rollover. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct training for the student pilot (positioned in right seat). In an attempt to practice a hovering autorotation, the CFI rolled the throttle toward the idle position. In response, the student immediately raised the collective and did not input enough right pedal correction. The student additionally made an abrupt left cyclic input, resulting in the helicopter drifting left. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to arrest the high rate of descent and regain directional control. The helicopter stuck the ground hard on the left skid and rolled over. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The student pilot's improper use of the collective and cyclic control, which induced a dynamic rollover. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. ===
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 30, 2003 in Tulare, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/25/2003
Aircraft: Texas Helicopter OH-13E-M74, registration: N51852
Injuries: 1 Minor.
The helicopter collided with power lines during an aerial application . The pilot was on his nineteenth pass over the field, traveling eastbound. Power lines were located on the east and west side of the road. There was a pole about 75 feet tall, and the top 6 feet contained three wires. The top wire, a black colored insulator wire, was located 3 feet from the top of the pole. The pilot located the outbox on the pole and determined he would fly above the box to clear all of the wires. As he flew over the lines, the helicopter impacted the insulator wire about 1/2 foot above the cockpit floor. The helicopter slid along the wire and then the wire broke from the insulator at the next pole. The poles were placed about 300 feet apart. As the helicopter impacted the ground, the left skid hit first, followed by the main rotor. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout. ===
Accident occurred Sunday, June 03, 2001 in Tulare, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/7/2002
Aircraft: Cessna 150L, registration: N10531
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
The airplane departed Visalia, California , approximately 0945, for the 10-mile flight to Mefford Field . The flight purpose was to practice takeoffs and landings on the student's eighth solo flight . Two witnesses were at the Farm Exposition grounds, located adjacent to, and at the departure end, of runway 31 at Mefford Field. They noticed that the wing flaps were extended to what was believed to be the full down position. They saw the airplane climb straight out until it reached what was estimated to be 200 to 250 feet above the ground. One witness noticed the airplane begin a turn to the left, in a westerly direction, and saw the nose come up to a higher attitude. He remarked that the airplane was going to stall. Shortly thereafter, the witness saw the airplane snap to the left, make one complete rotation to the left, with the left wing slightly lower of the right, and disappear behind some buildings. The second witness, who is a certificated pilot, was conversing with the first witness. He turned to speak to the first witness, who remarked, "It's going to stall." When he turned back to look, the airplane had disappeared behind the buildings. During the post crash examination of the wreckage, the flap jackscrew actuator was measured. It was extended 5.9 inches, which indicates a flap position of 40 degrees down. The cockpit flap switch was operated, and the switch locked in the up position when activated. The flap fuse was removed and tested. It was shown that the fuse had continuity. Power was applied to the wing flap motor using a 12-volt battery and electrical leads. The motor ran and moved the wing flap jackscrew throughout its range of motion in both directions. The flight instructor who had completed all of the pilot's training was interviewed. The instructor stated he had verbally restricted the student to make full stop landings only, for this particular flight. The instructor did not include this restriction on the solo endorsement. It was not determined if the student had done a full stop, touch-and-go, or a go-around. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the crosswind climb that resulted in a stall/spin at low altitude and the airplane's subsequent ground impact. A factor was the student's failure to retract the wing flaps.



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