Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A N9061T

Summary

On 22 April 1994 at about 03:01 local time, a Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A registered N9061T, operated by Stephen R. Streeter, was involved in an accident near Brawley, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 April 1994 at 03:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Brawley, California, United States

Coordinates

33.0204, -115.4504

Aircraft

Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A

Registration

N9061T

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Stephen R. Streeter

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

LAX94LA199

1 person died.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND AFTER COMPLETING AERIAL APPLICATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOT TO DETECT THE OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED FOR NIGHT AERIAL APPLICATION. ACCORDING TO 2 COMPANY LOADERS, THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED THE APPLICATION AND WAS MANEUVERING TO MAKE AN APPROACH INTO THE SOUTHWESTERLY WIND FOR A LANDING AT THE TRUCK. WHILE MANEUVERING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE TRUCK, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND CRASHED. THE AVERAGE HEIGHT OF THE POWER LINE WAS ABOUT 25 FEET. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.