19940421008699A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Ccoptr TOMCAT MK5A · Brawley, CA · April 21, 1994

Date: April 21, 1994 · 20:01 local
Place: Brawley, CA
Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
Operator: RDHG
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N9061T
NTSB investigation: NTSBLAX94LA199
Reported as: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A
Reported engine: Lycoming O43523
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 1
Pilot’s flight hours: 12,700 total

N9061TRegistered now · Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5AS/N CCI-75-3 · Built 1975 Airframe modelContinental Copters TOMCAT MK5A Engine modelLycoming VO-435 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Struck wires after completing night spray run. Seat belt failed. Pilot asphixiation due shoulder belt around neck.

As the FAA filed it

STRUCK WIRES AFTER COMPLETING NIGHT SPRAY RUN. SEAT BELT FAILED. PILOT ASPHIXIATION DUE SHOULDER BELT AROUND NECK.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB LAX94LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrawley, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude, while maneuvering to land after completing aerial application. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the lack of visual cues for the pilot to detect the obstruction (power line).Apr 22, 1994 · Destroyed