# NTSB NYC01LA130: Continental Copters Tom Cat Mark 5A, N25561, Benton, PA, May 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2001, 07:18 local (11:18 UTC) - Place: Benton, PA - Coordinates: 41.18935, -76.380149 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1893&lon=-76.3801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52343/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with a hose still attached and a subsequent dynamic rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - equipment,other - not removed, pilot in command - dynamic rollover - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot's assistant used a hose to fill the helicopter's hopper with pesticide. The assistant and hose were located on the right side of the helicopter. The pilot boarded the helicopter from the left side, and observed that his assistant was clear from the right side, completing paperwork. The pilot then started the helicopter, not realizing the hose was still attached on the right side. During the takeoff, about 5-10 feet above the ground, the helicopter rolled right and struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2001, about 0718 Eastern Daylight Time, a Continental Copters Tom Cat Mark 5A (a modified Bell 47 helicopter), N25561, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a field in Benton, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot stated that his assistant used a hose to fill the helicopter's "hopper" with pesticide. The assistant and hose were located on the right side of the helicopter. The pilot fueled and boarded the helicopter from the left side. He then observed that his assistant was clear from the right side, completing paperwork. The pilot started the helicopter, not realizing the hose was stilled attached on the right side. When the pilot attempted to takeoff, about 5-10 feet above the ground, the helicopter rolled right and struck the ground. The main rotor, tailboom, and transmission sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25561](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25561), registered now, S/N TC-TWH-1, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Continental Copters Tom Cat Mark 5A - Registry model: [Continental Copters-Transworld TOM CAT MARK 5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-transworld-tom-cat-mark-5a) (registry code 2390301) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: TCTWH-1 - Airframe hours: 3820 - Engines: Lycoming VO-435 260 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Richard E. Karschner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2001, 54.5 hours before - Departed: NONE, Benton, PA - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 10, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 9,800 total, 8,550 in this make and model, 54 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: IPT, 25 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 20010529017659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010529017659A), May 29, 2001: Ccoptr TOMCATMK5A, Benton, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) In may 29, 2001, about 0718 eastern daylight time, a Continental copters tom cat mark 5A (a modified bel 47 helicopter), N25561, was substantially… ## Other investigations on N25561 (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 CHI88DEX11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEX11), Aug 10, 1988: Continental Copters MK-5 (N25561), Redkey, IN, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO DRUGS WHICH RESULTED IN A MISJUDGED APPROACH AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH TREES DURING THE APPROACH TO AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. 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.