# NTSB ATL83LLQ02: Vanhoose/Scorpio Executive, N12KW, Wittensville, KY, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1982, 00:15 local (05:15 UTC)
- Place: Wittensville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.859203, -82.789512 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8592&lon=-82.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LLQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LLQ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON HIS APPROACH FOR LANDING A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO CLIMB AND THEN DESCEND RAPIDLY. DURING THIS TIME THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED POWER AND AT THE SAME TIME KEPT ADDING MORE AND MORE COLLECTIVE, BUT THE HELICOPTER KEPT SINKING AND CRASHED. AFTER IMPACT, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12KW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VANHOOSE/SCORPIO EXECUTIVE
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: KW3011
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: ROTORWAY 145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth R. Vanhoose
- Registered owner: Kenneth R. Vanhoose
- Departed: WITTENSVILLE, KY
- Destination: WITTENSVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 388 total, 38 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 36° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821031056299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821031056299A), Oct 31, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPIONEXEC, Wittonsville, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot reported helicopter entered a downdraft on approach. Unable to check descent. Rolled and burned on impact.

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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