# NTSB LAX04LA158: Quinn E L Tom Cat MK-5A, N8429, Galt, CA, March 15, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2004, 18:00 local (Mar 15, 2004, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Galt, CA - Coordinates: 38.299999, -121.300003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3000&lon=-121.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA158 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The helicopter lost engine power during cruise flight at 100 feet above ground level, and the pilot made a hard forced landing. Post accident inspections revealed no power plant abnormalities. Water was found in the fuel tank and a small amount was found in the bottom of the fuel screen. No other airframe or engine discrepancies were found that could explain a loss of power. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2004, about 1800 Pacific standard time, a Quinn Aviation Inc., E L Tom Cat MK-5A, N8429, made a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while cruising between fields near Galt, California. Sierra Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed a farm field near Galt about 1750. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 18 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 18 minutes west longitude. The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot finished spraying an alfalfa field, and headed toward the next field that was 1/4 mile away. The helicopter shook violently for 2-3 seconds followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot performed an autorotation from 100 feet, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The operator examined the helicopter and engine and reported that he drained water from the fuel tank; he found a small amount of water in the bottom of the fuel filter screen; the screen was dirty but not clogged; and he found no water when he drained the carburetor. The engine turned freely and all of the cylinders developed compression between 72/80 and 78/80. The operator noted no other abnormalities that would explain the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8429](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8429-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 100A, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Quinn Aviation Inc. E L Tom Cat MK-5A - Registry model: [Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/quinn-e-l-tom-cat-mk-5a) (registry code 1302703) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 100A - Airframe hours: 4294 - Engines: Lycoming V0435 A1F 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Sierra Helicopter Services Inc - Registered owner: Aerolease of America Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2003, 65 hours before - Departed: Galt, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 14, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 25,020 total, 300 in this make and model, 24,500 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 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 20040314004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040314004579A), Mar 14, 2004: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Substantial damage. (-23) After spraying an alfalfa field, pilot was feerying the helicopter to another alfalfa field within one half mile. Enroute at 100 fleet above the ground,… ## Other investigations on N8429 (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 MIA85LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA207), Jul 4, 1985: Quinn EL Tomcat MK-5A (N8429), Blakley, GA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW76FPG82](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FPG82), Jul 10, 1976: Quinn MK-5A (N8429), Corning, AR, destroyed 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.