# NTSB ATL83LA011: Tomcat MK68, N9080T, Cope, SC, October 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1982, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Cope, SC
- Location: 33.3777° N, 81.0079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cope, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3777&lon=-81.0079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, ground personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE STARTING HIS TAKEOFF FROM A TRAILER, THE PILOT FAILED TO INSURE THAT HIS HELPER HAD RELEASED THE RIGHT REAR TIEDOWN CHAIN. DURING LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER RAISED THE TRAILER ABOUT 2 TO 3 FT BEFORE THE CHAIN. BROKE. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE HELICOPTER WAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND REARWARD. THE PILOT STATED THERE WAS NO TIME TO MAKE A CORRECTION. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED ABOUT 4 TO 5 FT FROM THE TRAILER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9080T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9080T-2014-06-16), registration cancelled 2014-06-16, S/N CCI-76-4, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TOMCAT MK68
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6b) (registry code 2390202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-76-4
- Airframe hours: 2975
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Walter M. Moore
- Registered owner: Walter M. Moore
- Departed: COPE, SC
- Destination: COPE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19821015055799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821015055799A), Oct 15, 1982: Tomcat OH13HMK6B, Cope, SC, Destroyed. Ground crew failed to unfasten a skid tiedown. Pilot lost control on lift off from a trailer as the chain failed

## Other investigations on N9080T (2)

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 CHI03LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA204), Jul 9, 2003: Continental Copters MK6B (N9080T), Ft. Yates, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadvertent settling with power and unsuccessful remedial action by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the potato crop.
- [NTSB MIA88LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA186), Jun 1, 1988: Continental Copters MK6B (N9080T), Callahan, FL, 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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