ARCADIA, FL, USA
N9034T
CONTINENTAL COPTERS TOMCAT MK 6C
THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT 6 MINUTES INTO THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS DURING WHICH THE MAIN ROTOR RPM DECREASED. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.
On June 10, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Continental Copters El Tomcat MK6C, N9034T, registered to and operated by Whirly Birds, Inc., was substantially damaged during an autorotative landing near Arcadia, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated near the accident site about 1254. The pilot stated that while flying about 15 feet above ground level over a ditch dispersing chemical, the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. He initiated a 180-degree turn and maneuvered the helicopter between orange trees. The helicopter was landed hard damaging the tailboom and the right skid.
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND BY FAILURE TO ASSURE ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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