# NTSB NYC90DGM03: Continental Copters MK5A, N9024T, Cranesville, PA, September 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1990, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cranesville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.89915, -80.339988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8991&lon=-80.3400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DGM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DGM03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER THE LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ASSEMBLY; THIS RESULTED IN GROUND IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control rod - failure,partial (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FINISHED A SPRAY SWATH AND INITIATED A 'CYLIC CLIMB' TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. HE REPORTED HEARING A NOISE 'AS IF SOMETHING BROKE' JUST AFTER THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE TREES. THE HELICOPTER YAWED RIGHT AND PITCHED DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PEDAL AND FULL AFT CYCLIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODED AREA. POST-IMPACT FIRE ENSUED. INVESTIGATORS FOUND NO INDICATION OF PRE-IMPACT POWER LOSS OR LOSS OF TAIL SECTION CONTINUITY. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A NUT AND BOLT WERE MISSING FROM ONE END OF THE FORE AND AFT CYCLIC CONTROL ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9024T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9024T-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N CCI-74-6, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Continental Copters MK5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435) (registry code 41520, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: CCI-74-6
- Airframe hours: 8575
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-A1F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Marvin L Scripter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1989, 288 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 2,076 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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