# NTSB MIA91LA220: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A, N9010T, Bay Springs, MS, September 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1991, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Bay Springs, MS
- Coordinates: 31.980562, -89.280029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9806&lon=-89.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA220

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING A STEEP TURN ABOUT 60 FT AGL, THE ENG SPUTTERED.  HE REDUCED POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING BUT THE ENG QUIT SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT, THE MAIN ROTOR (M R) BLADES CONTACTED TREES.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE GROUND, THE M R BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM.  THE PLT WAS OBSERVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO LOOK IN THE FUEL TANK.  THE HELICOPTER WAS MOVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITHOUT NTSB OR FAA PERMISSION; THEREFORE, FUEL QUANTITY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.  THE HELICOPTER WAS LOCATED AND EXAM OF THE ENG AND ITS COMPONENTS REVEALED CONTAMINANTS IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL.  THE ENG WAS STARTED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY.  NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENG POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9010T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9010T-2000-06-02), registration cancelled 2000-06-02, S/N CCI-74-3 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS TOMCAT MK5A (TOMCAT MK5)
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-74-3
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Gulf Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gulf Helicopter, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,658 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,658 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19910918041749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910918041749A), Sep 18, 1991: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Bay Springs, MS, Substantial damage. Reported power loss. Hit trees on autorotation causing hard landing. Rotors hit tailboom. Cause power loss unknown.

## Other investigations on N9010T (3)

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 ATL99FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA132), Sep 16, 1999: Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A (N9010T), Heflin, AL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot of N9010T's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering, resulting in a midair collision with N30899. A factor was the sun glare.
- [NTSB CHI77FEX46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEX46), Sep 1, 1977: Tomcat MK5A (N9010T), Monrovia, IN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI77FEX23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEX23), May 6, 1977: Bell MK5A (N9010T), Russiaville, IN, destroyed

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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