Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B N17H
7 August 2016 · Sparland, Illinois, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 August 2016 at about 15:00 local time, a Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B registered N17H, operated by Hendrickson Flying Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Sparland, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously 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 15:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sparland, Illinois, United States
- Coordinates
- 41.0297, -89.4406
- Aircraft
- Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B
- Registration
- N17H
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1947
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Hendrickson Flying Service Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Sparland → Sparland
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN16CA321
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Prior to departure from the field service vehicle assisting with the aerial application flight, the pilot checked his fuel gauges and his personal timer for fuel load estimation. The pilot's plan was to complete a field he had been applying chemical and thought he had enough fuel to complete the short flight. While maneuvering in a slow left turn near the field, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter to avoid trees and the helicopter experienced a hard forced landing to an adjacent field. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter by a representative of the operator showed the fuel tanks and fuel lines contained no fuel. The loss of engine power was consistent with fuel exhaustion.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Continental Copters TOMCAT accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jun 2015 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A | Elk Mound, Wisconsin, United States | Churchill, Scott | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jul 2014 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A | Osage, Minnesota, United States | Scott Churchill | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2018 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A | Le Sueur, Minnesota, United States | Scotts Helicopter Service Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2013 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A | Arlington, Minnesota, United States | Scotts Helicopter Services Inc | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 2019 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6C | Franklin, Kentucky, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 2010 | Continental Copters TOMCAT MK6B | Blackstone, Illinois, United States | Hendrickson Flying Service Inc | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2016 | Aircraft Mfg & CH601XL SLSA | Marengo, Illinois, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Jul 2016 | Evolution Trikes REVO | Newark, Illinois, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Aug 2016 | Cessna U206G | Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, United States | State of Illinois | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Jun 2016 | Piper PA 24 | Loda, Illinois, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Jun 2016 | Staudacher S 300 | Prospect Heights, Illinois, United States | Petersen, Alfred C. | No injuries | - |
| 31 Dec 2016 | Piper PA 28R-200 | Vienna, Illinois, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |