# NTSB LAX93LA336: Continental Copters Mark 5, N9078T, San Juan Bautis, CA, August 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1993, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: San Juan Bautis, CA
- Coordinates: 36.829364, -121.509002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8294&lon=-121.5090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA336

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the crops.  The pilot's diverted attention during the aerial application flight is a factor in this accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE SPRAYING A CORN FIELD THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE CROPS.  THE RIGHT SPRAY BOOM STRUCK THE 10-FT HIGH CORN CROPS AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 1993, at 0920 hours Pacific daylight time, a Continental Copters Mark 5 Tomcat helicopter, N9078T, crashed near San Juan Bautista, California, while conducting a local visual flight rules aerial application flight.  The helicopter, operated by AG Rotors, Inc., Hollister, California, was destroyed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Hollister Airport at 0905 hours.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that while spraying the right spray boom contacted the corn crops which "drug the helicopter down."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9078T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS MARK 5
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 213
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag Rotors, Inc.
- Registered owner: Derwyn Shank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 3O7, HOLLISTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 1,300 total, 900 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F

## 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 19930825035069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930825035069A), Aug 25, 1993: Bell OH13HMK5A, San Juan Bautis, CA, Destroyed. Spray boom contacted corn crop on spray run. Dragged helicopter down.

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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