# NTSB MIA88LA250: Continental Copters MK-5A, N9086T, Valley Park, MS, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Valley Park, MS
- Coordinates: 32.420112, -90.130729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4201&lon=-90.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA250

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD 8 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ENGINE FAILED ABOUT 100 FT AGL AND HE ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE OF THE HELICOPTER BY USING COLLECTIVE PITCH. THE AIRCRAFT HIT HARD AND ROLLED OVER. ONLY 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9086T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9086T-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N CCI-78-1, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Continental Copters MK-5A
- 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
- Serial number: CCI781
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Farm Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Farm Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1988, 56 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 26 nm away

## 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 19880810033689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810033689A), Aug 10, 1988: Bell OH13HMK5A, Valley Park, MS, Substantial damage. Out of fuel shortly after takeoff. Ran out of rotor speed clearing wires. Causing a hard landing and damage.

## Other investigations on N9086T (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 ATL99LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA107), Jul 14, 1999: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A (N9086T), Camden, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the cyclic control rod due to an overstress separation resulting from a material defect (inadequate quality of material) by the manufacturer.
- [NTSB MIA86LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA228), Aug 5, 1986: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A (N9086T), Indiantown, FL, 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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