# NTSB ANC87DAG01: Rotorway Scorpion 1670, N48591, Soldotna, AK, March 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1987, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320697, -150.789916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3207&lon=-150.7899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87DAG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87DAG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE JUST A FEW FEET ABOVE THE GROUND RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48591 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY SCORPION 1670 (SCORPION 1)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 82G3125A
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SXQ, AK
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870314008809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870314008809A), Mar 14, 1987: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. The helicopter rolled over during a test flight and impacted the ground. Pilot medical and biennial not current.

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.

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