# NTSB MIA95LA168: Continental Copters Tomcat MK 6C, N9034T, Arcadia, FL, June 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1995, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, FL
- Location: 27.2212° N, 81.8584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arcadia, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2212&lon=-81.8584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA168

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND BY FAILURE TO ASSURE ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT 6 MINUTES INTO THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS DURING WHICH THE MAIN ROTOR RPM DECREASED.  THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Continental Copters El Tomcat MK6C, N9034T, registered to and operated by Whirly Birds, Inc., was substantially damaged during an autorotative landing near Arcadia, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated near the accident site about 1254.

The pilot stated that while flying about 15 feet above ground level over a ditch dispersing chemical, the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion.  He initiated a 180-degree turn and maneuvered the helicopter between orange trees.  The helicopter was landed hard damaging the tailboom and the right skid.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9034T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9034T-2021-05-18), registration cancelled 2021-05-18, S/N CCI74-9, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONTINENTAL COPTERS TOMCAT MK 6C (TOMCAT MK)
- Registry model: [Continental Copters EL TOMCAT MK6C](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-el-tomcat-mk6c) (registry code 2390205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-74-9
- Airframe hours: 3057
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Whirly Birds, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1995, 39 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 49 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 19950610019859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950610019859A), Jun 10, 1995: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. Spray run 15 feet AGL engine quit due fuel exhaustion. Made 180 to avoid orange trees. Landed hard. Damage tailboom

## Other investigations on N9034T (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 NYC90DFG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DFG03), May 23, 1990: Continental Copters MK15A (N9034T), King Ferry, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES DURING THIS APPROACH TO LANDING.

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.