# NTSB MIA77FKG27: EL Tomcat MK5A, N3575B, Ray City, GA, May 4, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 4, 1977
- Place: Ray City, GA · RAY CITY, GA
- Location: 31.0728° N, 83.1901° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ray City, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0728&lon=-83.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 147189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77FKG27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKG27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1782   77/5/4    RAY CITY,GA         EL TOMCAT MK5A      CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 3870
        TIME - 1015                    N3575B              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 2170 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RAY CITY,GA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1015                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  225                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
        REMARKS- PULLED UP TO AVOID TREES,LOST ROTOR RPM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3575B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3575B), registered now, S/N WS104, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EL TOMCAT MK5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters-Segerstrom TOMCAT MK-5A (OH-13)](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-segerstrom-tomcat-mk-5a-oh-13) (registry code 2390304) (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 19770504010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770504010989A), May 4, 1977: Bell OH13HMK5A, Ray City, GA, Substantial damage. Pulled up to avoid trees,lost rotor RPM.

## Other investigations on N3575B (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 ATL80FLA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLA06), Aug 15, 1980: Tom Cat MK-5A (N3575B), Quitman, GA, 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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