# NTSB NYC90DFG03: Continental Copters MK15A, N9034T, King Ferry, NY, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: King Ferry, NY
- Coordinates: 42.659358, -76.610649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6594&lon=-76.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DFG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DFG03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES DURING THIS APPROACH TO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWERLINES DURING ITS APPROACH TO LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE IN NEW YORK AND TRANSPORTED TO FLORIDA BEFORE FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS COULD EXAMINE THE WRECKAGE. THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO PERFORMED THE INVESTIGATION REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO CLAIM OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY/MALFUNCTION. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED MORE THAN 1900 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT.

## 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 MK15A
- 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: CC 174-9
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-AIF 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Marvin L. Scripter, doing business as Sunline Aviation
- Registered owner: Marvin Scripter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1990, 19 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 2,112 total, 1,929 in this make and model, 19,847 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900523023849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523023849A), May 23, 1990: Bell OH13HMK5A, King Ferry, NY, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline and crashed on landing approach.

## 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 MIA95LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA168), Jun 10, 1995: Continental Copters Tomcat MK 6C (N9034T), Arcadia, FL, substantial damage. 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…

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.