Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket
Sarah Business LLC
Accident Number: ERA20CA319
Date & Time: September 10, 2020, 10:00 Local
Registration: N57AN
Aircraft: Rotorway EXEC 162F
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the experimental amateur-built helicopter reported that during takeoff, when the left skid was coming off the ground, he felt a small jerk, so he moved the cyclic to the left and forward. When the cyclic moved it hit the passenger’s left knee. The passenger “jerked” and the cyclic moved back to the right and the helicopter “instantaneously” rolled over to the right side and struck the ground. The pilot and the passenger were not injured, and the helicopter’s main rotor and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 57,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 6, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 7, 2020
Flight Time: 2600 hours (Total, all aircraft), 450 hours (Total, this make and model)
Passenger Information
Certificate:
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Rotorway
Registration: N57AN
Model/Series: EXEC 162F
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 6557
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 7, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 363.1 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotorway
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 150 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMLB,27 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 23 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 53°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1600 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 26°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Kenansville, FL
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Merritt Island, FL (COI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:00 Local
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Private Heliport PVT
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 65 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.876388,-80.988334(est)
