# NTSB CEN16CA321: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B, N17H, Sparland, IL, August 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 7, 2016, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Sparland, IL - Coordinates: 41.029724, -89.440551 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0297&lon=-89.4406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 93829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16CA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA321 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing. ## 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 level (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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 exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2390202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to departure from the field service vehicle assisting with the aerial application flight, the pilot checked his fuel gauges and his personal timer for fuel load estimation. The pilot's plan was to complete a field he had been applying chemical and thought he had enough fuel to complete the short flight. While maneuvering in a slow left turn near the field, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter to avoid trees and the helicopter experienced a hard forced landing to an adjacent field. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter by a representative of the operator showed the fuel tanks and fuel lines contained no fuel. The loss of engine power was consistent with fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative Prior to departure from the field service vehicle assisting with the aerial application flight, the pilot checked his fuel gauges and his personal timer for fuel load estimation. The pilot's plan was to complete a field he had been applying chemical and thought he had enough fuel to complete the short flight. While maneuvering in a slow left turn near the field, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter to avoid trees and the helicopter experienced a hard forced landing to an adjacent field. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter by a representative of the operator showed the fuel tanks and fuel lines contained no fuel. The loss of engine power was consistent with fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17H), registered now, S/N 13, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS INC. TOMCAT MK6B - 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: 13 - Year built: 1947 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Sparland, IL - Destination: Sparland, IL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 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 20160807014169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160807014169A), Aug 7, 2016: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK6B, Sparland, IL, Substantial damage. While spraying a field, the pilot pulled up to avoid trees. As he pulled up, he experienced a reduction in power and the aircraft pulled left. He continued the… ## Other investigations on N17H (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 CEN10CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA411), Jul 15, 2010: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B (N17H), Blackstone, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The helicopter encountered a dust devil at a low altitude during the aerial application flight. - [NTSB MIA92T#A01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92T%23A01), Jun 25, 1992: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6B (N17H), Punta Gorda, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93829. 79 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Operator Statement (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Statement-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. --- 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.