# NTSB SEA79DYP20: EL Tomcat MK5A, N9044T, Moses Lake, WA, May 15, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 15, 1979
- Place: Moses Lake, WA · MOSES LAKE, WA
- Location: 47.1279° N, 119.2764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moses Lake, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1279&lon=-119.2764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79DYP20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYP20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1645  79/5/15    MOSES LAKE,WA       EL TOMCAT MK5A      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 3695
        TIME - 0600                    N9044T              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1800 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MOSES LAKE,WA               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
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3500                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1200                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- HIT PWR POLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9044T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9044T), registered now, S/N CCI75-1, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EL TOMCAT MK5A
- 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 19790515013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790515013929A), May 15, 1979: Bell OH13H, Moses Lake, WA, Destroyed. Helicopter rotor blades struck power pole during spray run. Crashed and was destroyed.

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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