Continental Copters TOMCAT MARK 5A/OH13H accident near Freeman, South Dakota, May 29, 1985
On May 29, 1985 at about 10:25 pm local time, a Continental Copters TOMCAT MARK 5A/OH13H (helicopter), registered N9081T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Freeman, South Dakota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 1985 · about 10:25 pm local time
- Place
- Freeman, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Continental Copters TOMCAT MARK 5A/OH13H TOMCAT MAR
- Registration
- N9081T · no longer on the register · serial CC1-77-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT SAID HE HAD COMPLETED 4 TO 5 SWATH RUNS (CROP SPRAYING MISSION). DURING A TURNING MANUEVER WITH A LEFT QUATERING TAIL WIND, FULL LEFT PEDAL,FULL PWR,THE HELICOPTER HAD A HIGH SINK RATE UNTIL GRD IMPACT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,486 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 1,191 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 324 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 16, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-435-23 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Freeman SD at 10:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.