# Accident 19990714009359A: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Camden, AL, July 14, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 14, 1999, 19:30 local time
- Place: Camden, AL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 31.9897° N, 87.2894° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9897&lon=-87.2894&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9086T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9086T-2013-05-17) (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 VO435*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,000 total, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL99LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA107) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990714009359A

## Narrative

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

ACFT WAS INVOLVED IN AERIAL APPLICATION WHEN THE FLIGHT CONTROLS FAILED, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT, AND THE ACFT CRASHED. (.4)THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A SECOND PASS OVER THE FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING WHEN HE LOST CYCLIC CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.  HE REDUCED POWER AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND, COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.  THE HELICOPTER'S CYCLIC CONTROL ROD WAS METALLURGICALLY EXAMINED.  ONE END OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ROD HAD SEPARATED AT THE THREAD RELIEF RADIUS AND THE FAILURE APPEARED CONSISTENT WITH AN OVERSTRESS SEPARATION.  HARDNESS READINGS TAKEN DURING AN ULTRASONIC INSPECTION REVEALED THE TENSILE STRENGTH WAS BELOW THE ORIGINAL ROD DESIGN STRENGTH.

## 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 ATL99LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA107), Jul 14, 1999: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A (N9086T), Camden, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the cyclic control rod due to an overstress separation resulting from a material defect (inadequate quality of material) by the manufacturer.

## Other reports on N9086T (2)

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

- [Accident 19880810033689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810033689A), Aug 10, 1988: Bell OH13HMK5A (N9086T), Valley Park, MS, Substantial damage. Out of fuel shortly after takeoff. Ran out of rotor speed clearing wires. Causing a hard landing and damage.
- [Accident 19860805037749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860805037749A), Aug 5, 1986: Bell OH13HMK5A (N9086T), Indiantown, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. Pilot was operating helicopter to spray crops without 137 certificate.

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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