# Accident 20070901021709A: Amtr VORTEX, Mesa, AZ, September 1, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2007, 15:46 local time
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5117° N, 111.6983° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5117&lon=-111.6983&mi=10
- Aircraft: N546SW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N546SW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Wessel Marvin E JR VORTEX (registry code 05622U5, https://openairdocs.org/model/wessel-marvin-e-jr-vortex) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 618 (registry code 55578, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR VORTEX
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX07CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA262) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070901021709A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE OPERATING IN THE MESA, AZ AREA ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN VIBRATING VIOLENTLY, AT THE SAME TIME LOSING THRUST. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER, SET UP FOR BEST GLIDE @ 50 MPH, AND EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A DRY RIVER BED OFF AIRPORT. THE ROTOR AND LANDING GEAR CONTACTED HIGH SAGE BRUSH, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL OVER. THE PILOT (THE SOLE OCCUPANT) EXITED THE AIRCRAFT SAFELY WITHOUT INJURY. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT ROLLED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN ENGINE EXHAUST CLAMP, LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROPELLER, HAD FAILED AND GONE THROUGH THE COMPOSITE PROPELLER. AS A CONSEQUENCE, ONE BLADE OF THE THREE-BLADED PROPELLER BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE VIBRATION AND LOSS OF THRUST.

## 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 LAX07CA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA262), Sep 1, 2007: Wessel Vortex (N546SW), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the muffler's mounting strap and subsequent loss of engine power due to propeller blade separation during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced…

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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