Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A accident near Brawley, CA
On April 22, 1994, a Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Brawley, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 22, 1994
- Place
- Brawley, CA
- Aircraft
- Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.020°N, 115.450°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01139
NTSB summary
On April 21, 1994, at 2001 Pacific daylight time, a Continental Copters MK5A, N9061T, collided with power lines while engaged in night aerial application operations near Brawley, California. The helicopter was operated by Streeter Flying Service of Turlock, California, under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from a truck at the field to be sprayed on the day of the accident about 1930 hours. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site, examined the wreckage, and interviewed the witnesses. His detailed report is attached to this document as an exhibit. According to the inspector, there were no eyewitnesses to the power line collision. Two company loaders were waiting with the support truck next to the field being sprayed. They reported that the helicopter completed the application to the field and passed by their location in an easterly direction to make an approach and landing at the truck into the southwesterly prevailing wind. The loaders reported that as the helicopter passed their location, all of the exterior work lights were turned on. When the helicopter did not arrive at the truck after about 10 minutes time, they began a search and found the crashed helicopter in an alfalfa field about 1/2 mile east-northeast of the truck. The witnesses report
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND AFTER COMPLETING AERIAL APPLICATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOT TO DETECT THE OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE).
More accidents in CA
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
