20040314004579A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A · March 14, 2004

Date: March 14, 2004 · 18:00 local
Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
Operator: IRAG
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N8429
NTSB investigation: NTSBLAX04LA158
Reported as: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A
Reported engine: Lycoming VO435*
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Pilot’s flight hours: 25,000 total10,000 in this make and model25 in the last 90 days

N8429Registration cancelled Apr 29, 2013 · Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5AS/N 100A · Built 1975 Airframe modelQuinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A 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.

(-23) After spraying an alfalfa field, pilot was feerying the helicopter to another alfalfa field within one half mile. Enroute at 100 fleet above the ground, aircraft shook violently for approx. two to three seconds then engine quit. Pilot performed autorotation to the ground, hit with hard impact, causing substantial damage to the helicopter. Measured fuel was approx. 12 gallons. Subsequent investigation revealed water in the fuel strainer and carburetor, indicating water ingestion.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) AFTER SPRAYING AN ALFALFA FIELD, PILOT WAS FEERYING THE HELICOPTER TO ANOTHER ALFALFA FIELD WITHIN ONE HALF MILE. ENROUTE AT 100 FLEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AIRCRAFT SHOOK VIOLENTLY FOR APPROX. TWO TO THREE SECONDS THEN ENGINE QUIT. PILOT PERFORMED AUTOROTATION TO THE GROUND, HIT WITH HARD IMPACT, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER. MEASURED FUEL WAS APPROX. 12 GALLONS. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED WATER IN THE FUEL STRAINER AND CARBURETOR, INDICATING WATER INGESTION.

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 LAX04LA158Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGalt, CAa loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.Mar 15, 2004 · Substantial damage