Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor rpm after takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19TA213 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 8, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Franklin, Kentucky
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Continental Copters Inc TOMCAT MK6C
- N-number
- N41830
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1973
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.