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August 5, 1986 · Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A Tomcat MK5 · N9086T
Indiantown, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Indiantown, FL
Aircraft
Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A Tomcat MK5
Tail Number
N9086T
Operator
Glades Ground Spraying
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA228
THE AERIAL APPLICATION HELICOPTER CRASHED JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF AFTER SUSTAINING A POWER FAILURE, THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FUEL STARVATION SINCE HE HAD OBSERVED SOME FOREIGN MATTER IN THE FUEL WHEN HE DRAINED THE SUMP DURING THE PREFLT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL ODOR OR FUEL SPILL IN OR AROUND THE CRASH SITE. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR. THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT IN THE TANK ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS ON ITS SIDE AND THE CAP WAS MISSING FROM THE TANK. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY WATER OR FOREIGN MATTER WAS DETECTED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FLT WAS OPERATING CONTRA TO FAR PART 137, IN THAT THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A FAA CERTIFICATE FOR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS.
Full Narrative
THE AERIAL APPLICATION HELICOPTER CRASHED JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF AFTER SUSTAINING A POWER FAILURE, THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FUEL STARVATION SINCE HE HAD OBSERVED SOME FOREIGN MATTER IN THE FUEL WHEN HE DRAINED THE SUMP DURING THE PREFLT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL ODOR OR FUEL SPILL IN OR AROUND THE CRASH SITE. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR. THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT IN THE TANK ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS ON ITS SIDE AND THE CAP WAS MISSING FROM THE TANK. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY WATER OR FOREIGN MATTER WAS DETECTED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FLT WAS OPERATING CONTRA TO FAR PART 137, IN THAT THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A FAA CERTIFICATE FOR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftContinental Copters Tomcat MK5A Tomcat MK5
Tail NumberN9086T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGlades Ground Spraying
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 30000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC