# Accident 20040314004579A: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, March 14, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 14, 2004, 18:00 local time
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: IRAG
- Location: 38.3000° N, 121.3000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3000&lon=-121.3000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8429, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8429-2013-04-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A (registry code 1302703, https://openairdocs.org/model/quinn-e-l-tom-cat-mk-5a) (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*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 25,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA158) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040314004579A

## Narrative

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

(-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.

## 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 LAX04LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA158), Mar 15, 2004: Quinn E L Tom Cat MK-5A (N8429), Galt, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.

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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