# NTSB ATL82DLG12: Bell-Cont 42G EL TOMCAT-MK5A, N73871, Oswego, SC, July 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Oswego, SC
- Location: 34.0056° N, 80.2861° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oswego, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0056&lon=-80.2861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DLG12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DLG12

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other organic problem), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO STUDY COTTON FIELDS THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO SPRAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE. HE STATED THAT DURING A LANDING APPROACH ON A FARM FIELD ROAD, A WASP LANDED ON HIS LEFT ARM AND STARTED STINGING. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DROP, AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE DEVELOPED, AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73871](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73871-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N CC1-163, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL-CONT 42G EL TOMCAT-MK5A (EL TOMCAT-)
- Registry model: [Bell-Continental Copters 47G-ELTOMCAT MKII](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-continental-copters-47g-eltomcat-mkii) (registry code 1181062) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4200-series) (registry code 27027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI163
- Airframe hours: 1339
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 AIF 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ac Rotor Inc
- Registered owner: Ac Rotor Inc
- Departed: DALZELL, SC
- Destination: DALZELL, SC
- Airport: Farm Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,918 total, 1,334 in this make and model, 7,751 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820702026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702026189A), Jul 2, 1982: Bell OH13HMK5A, Oswego, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot was distracted by bee stinging him during landing. Hard landing caused substantial damage.

## Other investigations on N73871 (5)

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 ATL90DKG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG02), Nov 6, 1989: Bell 47G/Tomcat MK5 (N73871), Elberton, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.
- [NTSB MIA76FLG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG07), Aug 12, 1975: Bell 47G (N73871), Pinewood, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA72FLG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FLG05), Aug 2, 1971: Bell 47G (N73871), Sumter, SC, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA66A0008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0008), Jul 12, 1965: Bell Tomcat (N73871), Skene, MS, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X1530](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1530), Apr 30, 1964: Cont Copter 47G (N73871), Windsor, MO, substantial damage

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.

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