# NTSB OAK75FVG79: Tomcat MK 5A, N9001T, Gridley, CA, June 25, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 25, 1975
- Place: Gridley, CA · GRIDLEY, CA
- Location: 39.3629° N, 121.6975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gridley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3629&lon=-121.6975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 7, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 149541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK75FVG79
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVG79

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1723  75/6/25  NR.GRIDLEY,CA         TOMCAT MK 5A        CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 55, 8500
        TIME - 0830                    N9001T              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GRIDLEY,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - RICE                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  110                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- HIT WIRES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9001T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9001T-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N CCI73-3, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TOMCAT MK 5A
- Registry model: [Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/continental-copters-tomcat-mk5a) (registry code 2390101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19750625019229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750625019229A), Jun 25, 1975: Bell 47G2, Gridley, CA, Destroyed. Hit wires.

## Other investigations on N9001T (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 LAX77DVA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DVA02), Oct 4, 1976: EL Tomcat MK5A (N9001T), Wasco, CA, substantial damage

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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