Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A N8429
15 March 2004 · Galt, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 15 March 2004 at about 02:00 local time, a Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A registered N8429, operated by Sierra Helicopter Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Galt, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 02:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Galt, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.3000, -121.3000
- Aircraft
- Quinn E L TOM CAT MK-5A
- Registration
- N8429
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Sierra Helicopter Services Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Galt → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- LAX04LA158
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The helicopter lost engine power during cruise flight at 100 feet above ground level, and the pilot made a hard forced landing. Post accident inspections revealed no power plant abnormalities. Water was found in the fuel tank and a small amount was found in the bottom of the fuel screen. No other airframe or engine discrepancies were found that could explain a loss of power.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Mar 2004 | Globe GC-1B | Placerville, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 May 2004 | Downer BELLANCA 14-19-2 | Lancaster, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 May 2004 | Beechcraft A60 | Gualala, California, United States | Richard L. Probert | No injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 2004 | Alon A2 | Cameron Park, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 2 Sep 2004 | Cessna 172S | Willits, California, United States | Edward A. Warburton | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 2004 | Cessna 172P | Granada Hills, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |