# NTSB CEN14CA391: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A, N161SH, Osage, MN, July 25, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2014, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Osage, MN
- Coordinates: 46.98722, -95.336387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9872&lon=-95.3364&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89751/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89751
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA391

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter without resolving the fuel contamination.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Resources: adequacy of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025): Organizational issues › Management · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025/cases.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=2390101), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While conducting a spray operation at 15 feet above the ground, the helicopter's engine sputtered so the pilot pulled up on the collective. The engine momentarily stopped sputtering but then began to run rough and continued to sputter. The pilot made a forced landing and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled on its side, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and rotor blades. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed water contamination in the gascolator and the fuel tank. Also, water contamination was found in the company's bulk fuel supply tank. The pilot noted that he checked the helicopter's fuel tank three times and the samples contained water every time. The pilot discarded the samples and continued to operate with the contaminated fuel.

## Factual narrative

While conducting a spray operation at 15 feet above the ground, the helicopter's engine sputtered so the pilot pulled up on the collective. The engine momentarily stopped sputtering but then began to run rough and continued to sputter. The pilot made a forced landing and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled on its side, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and rotor blades. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed water contamination in the gascolator and the fuel tank. Also, water contamination was found in the company's bulk fuel supply tank. The pilot noted that he checked the helicopter's fuel tank three times and the samples contained water every time. The pilot discarded the samples and continued to operate with the contaminated fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161SH), registered now, S/N 1921, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS INC. TOMCAT MK5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1921
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 2132
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Scott Churchill
- Registered owner: Dianne Churchill
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2014
- Departed: Osage, MN
- Destination: Osage, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2013; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,500 total, 120 in this make and model, 15,300 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KPKD, 12 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 20140725012019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140725012019A), Jul 25, 2014: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK5A, Osage, MN, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, while performing aerial application, the engine sputtered. He pulled up slightly and the engine smoothed for a few seconds and started…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89751. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Owner (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Owner-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Gascolator Fuel Sample (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Gascolator%20Fuel%20Sample%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Fuel Tank Sample (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuel%20Tank%20Sample%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Gascolator Cover (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Gascolator%20Cover%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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