Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A accident near Heflin, AL
On September 16, 1999, a Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Heflin, AL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 16, 1999
- Place
- Heflin, AL
- Aircraft
- Continental Copters TOMCAT MK5A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.641°N, 85.580°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X19686
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 16, 1999, about 0730 central daylight time, a Continental Copters, Inc. Tomcat MK5A, N9010T, and a Texas Helicopters Corp. OH-13E/M74, N38099, collided in flight over a field in Heflin, Alabama. Both helicopters were registered to Gulf Helicopters, Inc., and operated by the commercial pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed. The pilots of both helicopters received fatal injuries, and both helicopters were destroyed. N9010T departed Heflin, Alabama, at 0725. According to witnesses, N38099 was flying southbound about 150 feet above ground level (agl) spraying herbicides. N9010T had just taken off from a flatbed truck heading north behind a gathering of trees about 100 feet tall. A witness standing near the truck observed N9010T climb over the trees to an altitude of about 150 feet at a speed of 35 mph. He then turned east into the sun, directly into the flight path of N30899. Within seconds, N9010T had collided with N38099 on its lower right side. Immediately after the collision, both helicopters descended to the ground. Witnesses stated that they did not observe either helicopter take any evasive action prior to impacting. According to several employees of Gulf Helicopters, Inc., who witnessed the accident, the pilots were used to working alone and did not normally work together in such close proximity. Despite the fact that both helicopters were equipped with radios, one witness stated that the two pilots were not in communication w
Probable cause
The pilot of N9010T's failure to maintain visual lookout while maneuvering, resulting in a midair collision with N30899. A factor was the sun glare.
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Browse: Alabama
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
