# NTSB FTW82FRJ10: Continental Tomcat MK6C, N9098T, Cottonport, LA, May 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1982, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Cottonport, LA
- Location: 30.9892° N, 92.0510° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cottonport, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9892&lon=-92.0510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRJ10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRJ10

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FAMILIARIZING HIMSELF WITH THE ACFT & THE LOCAL AREA. THE PLT'S LOG BOOK SHOWED ONLY ONE HOUR OF FLT TIME LOGGED BETWEEN 9/23/81 & THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING FOR SOME TIME OVER THE CITY AT 300-400 FT AGL MAKING FIGURE 8 PATTERNS OR MANEUVERS SIMILAR TO AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING. THEY ALSO OBSERVED DEBRIS FALLINGFROM THE ACFT PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT WAS FOUND 3 BLOCKS FROM THE WRECKAGE & WAS FOUND BROKEN INTO 5 PIECES APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR (M/R) BLADES. THE TAIL BOOM WAS BROKEN INTO 30-40 PIECES. THE STATIC STOP HAD INDICATIONS OF HEAVY CONTACT WITHIN THE M/R GIMBAL. THE STOP APPEARED TO BE BENT SEVERELY WHICH INDICATED EXCESSIVE FLAPPING OF THE M/R BLADES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9098T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9098T-1991-03-14), registration cancelled 1991-03-14, S/N CCI791 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL TOMCAT MK6C (TOMCAT MK6)
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk6c) (registry code 2390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CC1-79-1
- Airframe hours: 1381
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Tell Ag Service
- Registered owner: Tell Ag Service
- Departed: COTTONPORT, LA
- Destination: COTTONPORT, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,699 total, 533 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820505013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820505013959A), May 5, 1982: Bell OH13HMK6C, Cottonport, LA, Destroyed. Main rotor blade cut into tail rotor short shaft causing breakup in mid air.

## Other investigations on N9098T (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 FTW81DRD48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRD48), Sep 19, 1981: Tom Cat 47-MK6 (N9098T), Ramah, LA, substantial damage

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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