Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the crops. The pilot's diverted attention during the aerial application flight is a factor in this accident.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 25, 1993, at 0920 hours Pacific daylight time, a Continental Copters Mark 5 Tomcat helicopter, N9078T, crashed near San Juan Bautista, California, while conducting a local visual flight rules aerial application flight. The helicopter, operated by AG Rotors, Inc., Hollister, California, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Hollister Airport at 0905 hours.
The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that while spraying the right spray boom contacted the corn crops which "drug the helicopter down."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX93LA336