# NTSB ERA19TA213: Continental Copters Tomcat MK6C, N41830, Franklin, KY, July 8, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: July 8, 2019, 11:12 local (16:12 UTC) - Place: Franklin, KY - Coordinates: 36.68111, -86.631111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6811&lon=-86.6311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99789/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99789 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA213 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor rpm after takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2390204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=2390204), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2390204), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2390204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot of the aerial application flight departed from the rooftop helipad of a truck to spray a field. He reported that as the helicopter turned, descended, and leveled off, he realized that the main rotor rpm began to decay. The pilot increased throttle, lowered the collective, and applied aft cyclic to increase rotor rpm; however, the tailboom contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled inverted, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2019, about 1112 central daylight time, a Continental Copters Tomcat MK6C, N41830, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Franklin, Kentucky. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The local aerial application flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed a field near Franklin, Kentucky, about 1110. The pilot stated that after 50 gallons of chemical and 5 gallons of fuel were added to the helicopter, he departed from a rooftop helipad of a truck in light and variable wind, to spray a field. As the helicopter turned, descended and leveled off to spray the field, the pilot realized that the main rotor rpm began to decay. He increased throttle, lowered the collective, and applied aft cyclic to increase rotor rpm, however, the tailboom contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the main rotor blades, tailrotor, fuselage, and tailboom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41830](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41830-2020-10-09), registration cancelled 2020-10-09, S/N CCI-73-2, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS INC TOMCAT MK6C - Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6c) (registry code 2390204) (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-73-2 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 6549 - Engines: Lycomig VO-435 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2018, 128 hours before - Departed: Franklin, KY - Destination: Franklin, KY - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2019; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,128 total, 29 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BWG, 20 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 20190708016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190708016289A), Jul 8, 2019: Continental Copters Inc. TOMCAT MK6C, Franklin, KY, Destroyed. Aircraft landed in a corn field tail down, tail rotor departed aircraft and aircraft lost directional control. Aircraft turned 90 degrees left and had severe… ## Other investigations on N41830 (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 NYC86FGM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FGM02), May 10, 1986: Continental Copters OH13H Tomcat Mark 5A (N41830), Indiana, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99789. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 245 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.