# NTSB CHI90DET04: Continental Copters MK 5A Tomcat, N1442Z, Constantine, MI, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 08:08 local (12:08 UTC)
- Place: Constantine, MI
- Coordinates: 41.830253, -85.660949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8303&lon=-85.6609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DET04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DET04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS AREA OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

DURING THE FIRST PASS, WEST TO EAST, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES RUNNING NE TO SW ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE FIELD. IT THEN CONTINUED APPROX. 180 FT AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER SET OF POWER LINES. A WITNESS INDICATED THE PILOT HAD MADE A SURVEY PASS OF THE FIELD. VISIBILITY WAS REPORTED AS 4 MI IN HAZE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1442Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1442Z-1999-07-27), registration cancelled 1999-07-27, S/N H176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Continental Copters MK 5A TOMCAT (MK 5A TOMC)
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6c) (registry code 2390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: H176
- Airframe hours: 2712
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1FHC 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Davis Ag Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1989, 88 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,864 total, 1,273 in this make and model, 1,714 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 32 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 19900727030569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900727030569A), Jul 27, 1990: Bell OH13HMK5A, Constantine, MI, Substantial damage. Struck and cut powerlines and crashed. Was flying between wires and irrigation rig on first spray run.

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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