Pilot Debrief

CONTINENTAL COPTERS INC TOMCAT MK6C near Franklin, KY — 2019-07-08

Final reportERA19TA213
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Date
2019-07-08
Location
Franklin, KY, USA
Aircraft
CONTINENTAL COPTERS INC TOMCAT MK6C
Registration
N41830
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor rpm after takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot of the aerial application flight departed from the rooftop helipad of a truck to spray a field. He reported that as the helicopter turned, descended, and leveled off, he realized that the main rotor rpm began to decay. The pilot increased throttle, lowered the collective, and applied aft cyclic to increase rotor rpm; however, the tailboom contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled inverted, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the maneuver when rotor rpm began to decay.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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