# Accident 19970930029419A: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Pipestone Count, MN, September 30, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 30, 1997, 14:45 local time
- Place: Pipestone Count, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: H5UG
- Location: 43.9994° N, 96.3096° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9994&lon=-96.3096&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9005T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9005T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A (registry code 2390101, https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming VO-435 series (registry code 41525, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CCOPTR TOMCATMK5A
- Reported engine: LYC VO435A1F
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI97LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA306) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970930029419A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

COLLIDED WITH GROUND DURING AG OPERATIONS. (.4) THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS FERRYING THE HELICOPTER TO THE NEXT FIELD HE, `HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM BEHIND.' HE SAID THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL, `JERKED,' THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE, AND THE ROTOR RPM DECREASED. HE INCREASED THE THROTTLE, BUT THE ENGINE RESPONDED AS IF THERE WAS NO LOAD ON THE ENGINE. HE INITIATED AUTOROTATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF TWO PITCH CONTROL ROD ASSEMBLIES HAD FRACTURED BETWEEN THE CLEVIS AND TURNBUCKLE. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SHOWED AREAS OF FATIGUE STRIATIONS AND MULTIPLE CRACK INITIATION SITES ON THE MACHINED SURFACE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI97LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA306), Sep 30, 1997: Bell 47 (N9005T), Pipestone, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the fracture of the pitch control rod assembly.

## Other reports on N9005T (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20180726014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180726014749A), Jul 26, 2018: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK5A (N9005T), Lesueur, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot departed at dusk. Poor preflight planning. Ran out of fuel. Autorotation was not existent.
- [Accident 20130906017709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130906017709A), Sep 6, 2013: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK5A (N9005T), Arlington, MN, Substantial damage. According to the pilot's statement, while transitioning between fields in level cruise at between 300' and 400' AGL, the pilot transferred his left hand to the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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