Continental Copters MK5A N9024T

Summary

On 28 September 1990 at about 22:00 local time, a Continental Copters MK5A registered N9024T was involved in an accident near Cranesville, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 September 1990 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Cranesville, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.8992, -80.3400

Aircraft

Continental Copters MK5A

Registration

N9024T

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC90DGM03

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.