# NTSB ATL83FA144: Kit Built Scorpion 133, N506R, Centerville, TN, March 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1983, 13:17 local (19:17 UTC)
- Place: Centerville, TN
- Location: 35.8236° N, 87.4506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CENTERVILLE MUNI (GHM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8236&lon=-87.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ROTORCRAFT CRASHED IN A STEEPLY DESCENDING TURN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM ABOUT 100 FEET AGL. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING, THE ON-SITE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ABRUPT STEEP LEFT BANK AND GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOTS EXPERIENCE WAS LIMITED AS HE HAS ACQUIRED 26 HOURS FLIGHT TIME IN TWO AND ONE HALF YEARS. HIS LAST RECORDED FLIGHT WAS ALMOST 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING ANYDUAL INSTRUCTION IN HOVERING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE LAST DUAL LOGBOOK ENTRY WAS DATED OCT. 17, 1981. THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED WAS 'LIMITED HOVERING, NO WIND, IN GROUND EFFECT ONLY'. ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLYIN WINDY CONDITIONS, OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. WITNESSES SAID THE HELICOPTER WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY AND PRODUCED NO UNUSUAL NOISES. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AS WINDY AND ONE ESTIMATED THE WIND VELOCITY AS BETWEEN 8 AND 10 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N506R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N506R-1985-01-10), registration cancelled 1985-01-10, S/N BJ-413444727 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KIT BUILT (ROTORWAY) SCORPION 133 (SCORPION 1)
- Registry model: [Jones Robert H SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-robert-h-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025BA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: BJ-413444727
- Airframe hours: 21
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW133 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Jones
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 26, 1982, 21 hours before
- Departed: GHM, CENTERVILLE, TN
- Airport: GHM, Centerville Municipal, runway 20, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 42 nm away

## 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 19830325009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830325009399A), Mar 25, 1983: Amtrrw SCORPION*, Centerville, TN, Destroyed. Allowed RPM decay on climbing turn. Stalled and dived into ground. Was endorsed for 10 foot hover only in no wind.

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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