# NTSB SEA73FYG36: Bell Tomcat, N73865, Harrington, WA, May 26, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 26, 1973
- Place: Harrington, WA · HARRINGTON, WA
- Location: 47.4802° N, 118.2553° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harrington, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4802&lon=-118.2553&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 190140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA73FYG36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FYG36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1834  73/5/26    HARRINGTON,WASH     BELL TOMCAT         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 9000
        TIME - 0840                    N73865              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 700 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HARRINGTON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HARRINGTON,WASH             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 9000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  2000                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - DOWNWIND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73865](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73865-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 7, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL TOMCAT
- Registry model: [Bell-Continental Copters 47G-ELTOMCAT MKII](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-continental-copters-47g-eltomcat-mkii) (registry code 1181062) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Harrington

## Other investigations on N73865 (3)

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 SEA91LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA233), Sep 12, 1991: Bell 47G (N73865), Miltonfreewater, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT FACTOR IN THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO INSURE THERE WAS ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION.
- [NTSB SEA83LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA069), Apr 1, 1983: Continental Copters Mkiii (N73865), Pasco, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC67A0088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67A0088), Jun 26, 1967: Bell 47G (N73865), Lincoln, KS, 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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