# NTSB MIA77DLD51: EL Tomcat MK6A, N4774S, Lake Wales, FL, April 19, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 19, 1977
- Place: Lake Wales, FL · LAKE WALES, FL
- Location: 27.9203° N, 81.5996° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Wales, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9203&lon=-81.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77DLD51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DLD51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1768  77/4/19  NR.LAKE WALES,FL      EL TOMCAT MK6A      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0742                    N4774S              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 51, 4619 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            50 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         LAKE WALES,FL                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: MANEUVER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTION
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOAD NOT JETTISONED
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - FRUIT ORCHARDS                            TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - DOWNWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- ROTOR RPM DECAYED DURING EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID WIRES
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4774S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4774S-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N WAV182, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EL TOMCAT MK6A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-2a) (registry code 1181012) (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 19770419008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770419008909A), Apr 19, 1977: Bell 47G2A, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Rotor RPM decayed during evasive maneuver to avoid wires

## Other investigations on N4774S (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 WPR15LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA116), Feb 27, 2015: Bell 47G 2A (N4774S), Ivanhoe, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX03LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA236), Jul 20, 2003: Bell 47G-2A (N4774S), Porterville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fatigue-induced failure of bolts in the helicopter's rotor drive flange, which resulted in a total loss of torque to the rotor drive shaft.

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.