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August 14, 1989 · Continental Copters Tomcat MK6C Tomcat MK6 · N9085T
Quitman, MS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Quitman, MS
Aircraft
Continental Copters Tomcat MK6C Tomcat MK6
Tail Number
N9085T
Operator
Ward Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89LA221
WHILE MANEUVERING TO BEGIN SPRAYING OPERATIONS, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RGT, DESCENDED NOSE LOW & COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LOWER TAIL BOOM ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS ELONGATED AND THAT THE ATTACHING BOLT HAD FAILED. THIS ALLOWED THE TAIL BOOM TO BEND UPWARD UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL ROTOR. OPERATOR PSNL BELIEVED THE ELONGATED HOLE WAS DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE TAIL BOOM, WHILE BEING TRAILERED TO DIFFERENT SPRAYING LOCATIONS.
Full Narrative
WHILE MANEUVERING TO BEGIN SPRAYING OPERATIONS, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RGT, DESCENDED NOSE LOW & COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LOWER TAIL BOOM ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS ELONGATED AND THAT THE ATTACHING BOLT HAD FAILED. THIS ALLOWED THE TAIL BOOM TO BEND UPWARD UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL ROTOR. OPERATOR PSNL BELIEVED THE ELONGATED HOLE WAS DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE TAIL BOOM, WHILE BEING TRAILERED TO DIFFERENT SPRAYING LOCATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftContinental Copters Tomcat MK6C Tomcat MK6
Tail NumberN9085T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWard Helicopters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 265
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC