# NTSB LAX77DVA02: EL Tomcat MK5A, N9001T, Wasco, CA, October 4, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 4, 1976
- Place: Wasco, CA · WASCO, CA
- Location: 35.5938° N, 119.3671° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasco, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5938&lon=-119.3671&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77DVA02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DVA02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3267   76/10/4 NR.WASCO,CA           EL TOMCAT MK5A      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 5164
        TIME - 1815                    N9001T              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 120 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WASCO,CA                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      IN FLIGHT: FLAREOUT FOR SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,ALTITUDE OR CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 2500                       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  350                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- FLARED BECAUSE OF VIBRATION, T/R HIT COTTON PLANTS & TURNED OVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9001T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9001T-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N CCI73-3, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EL TOMCAT MK5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19761004031699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761004031699A), Oct 4, 1976: Bell 47G2, Wasco, CA, Substantial damage. Flared because of vibration, t/r hit cotton plants & turned over.

## Other investigations on N9001T (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 OAK75FVG79](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG79), Jun 25, 1975: Tomcat MK 5A (N9001T), Gridley, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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