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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 2, 1982 · Bell-Cont 42G EL TOMCAT-MK5A EL Tomcat · N73871

Oswego, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oswego, SC
Aircraft
Bell-Cont 42G EL TOMCAT-MK5A EL Tomcat
Tail Number
N73871
Operator
Ac Rotor
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DLG12

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO STUDY COTTON FIELDS THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO SPRAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE. HE STATED THAT DURING A LANDING APPROACH ON A FARM FIELD ROAD, A WASP LANDED ON HIS LEFT ARM AND STARTED STINGING. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DROP, AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE DEVELOPED, AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD.

Full Narrative

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO STUDY COTTON FIELDS THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO SPRAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE. HE STATED THAT DURING A LANDING APPROACH ON A FARM FIELD ROAD, A WASP LANDED ON HIS LEFT ARM AND STARTED STINGING. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DROP, AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE DEVELOPED, AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:25 EDT
Nearest AirportFarm Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell-Cont 42G EL TOMCAT-MK5A EL Tomcat
Tail NumberN73871
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAc Rotor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 AIF · Reciprocating · 235
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data