# NTSB ATL91LA180: Continental Copters MK5A, N62108, Franklin, GA, September 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1991, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.276933, -85.10147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2769&lon=-85.1015&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA180

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL CABLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - failure,total (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED THE FIRST SPRAYING OF THE MORNING AND WAS HOVERING TO THE LOADING AREA WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL.  THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER AWAY FROM THE LOADING AREA AND ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN AN ADJACENT FIELD.  HOWEVER, AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT TAIL ROTOR CONTROL CABLE HAD FAILED NEAR THE PEDAL ATTACH POINT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE FIELD CABLE WAS MAILED TO THE NTSB FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION; THE CABLE NEVER ARRIVED.  FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62108](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62108-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N TC-HFS-1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS MK5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: TC-HFS-1
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gulf Helicopter
- Registered owner: Gulf Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1991

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 40 nm away

## 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 19910926043169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926043169A), Sep 26, 1991: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Franklin, GA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor control cable broke while hovering over pad to land. Veered to open area. Main rotors hit ground.

## Other investigations on N62108 (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 MIA97LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA212), Jul 24, 1997: Continental Copters MK5A (N62108), Sylacauga, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain main rotor rpm resulting in the helicopter descending and colliding with trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.