# Accident 20020401005029A: Amtr EXEC162F, Chandler, AZ, April 1, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 1, 2002, 09:55 local time
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.2692° N, 111.8111° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&mi=10
- Aircraft: N21901, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21901-2003-11-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cobb Intl Inc/DBA Rotorway INT EXEC 162F (registry code 05625SN, https://openairdocs.org/model/cobb-intl-inc-dba-rotorway-int-exec-162f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR EXEC162F
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020401005029A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE IP & STUDENT WERE CONDUCTING A "TRANSITION" TRAINING FLT. SOUTHEAST OF STELLAR AIRPARK (P19). WHILE PRACTICING A SHORT FINAL APPROACH ONTO A REMOTE DESERT AREA THE HELICOPTER AT APPROX. 50 FT (AGL) AND BEING FLOWN BY THE STUDENT, BEGAN YAWING ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT. THE IP TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AT THAT POINT, APPLIED FULL RT PEDAL TO NO EFFECT. THE HELICOPTER MADE 3-4 360 DEGREE TURNS TO THE LEFT AS IT DESCENDED. PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT THE IP APPLIED FULL COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION THE FALL. THE HELICOPTER, WITH HARDLY NO FORWARD SPEED, IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD ON THE RIGHT LANDING SKID, COLLAPSING IT, AND ROLLED ONTO IT'S R/H SIDE. THERE WAS NO POST-CRASH FIRE. THE IP RECEIVED BACK INJURIES. THE STUDENT APPEARED TO BE OK. (.19) ON APRIL 1, 2002, AT 0955 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A ROTORWAY EXEC 165F HELICOPTER, N21901, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND FOLLOWING A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR DRIVE WHILE IN CRUISE NEAR CHANDLER, ARIZONA. THE HELICOPTER WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY ROTORWAY INTERNATIONAL, AND WAS ON A LOCAL AREA INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT STUDENT, WHO WAS UNDERGOI             NG TRANSITION TRAINING IN THE MAKE AND MODEL HELICOPTER, SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FROM STELLAR AIRPARK, CHANDLER, ABOUT 0900. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIS COMPANY THAT THEY LOST THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE AND THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING. THE HELICOPTER WAS EXAMINED ON SCENE BY A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. HE REPORTED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS WERE BURNED AND FRAYED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA121), Apr 1, 2002: Rotorway Exec 165F (N21901), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The tail rotor drive system failure as a result of incorrect installation procedures by the manufacturer's personnel.

## Other reports on N21901 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20000406005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000406005829A), Apr 6, 2000: Amtr EXEC162F (N21901), Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On departure from memorial field, chanler, Arizona, pilot climbed pattern altitude of 300 ft (AGL). A loud noise was heard form rear of helicopter and…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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