# NTSB ATL84LA263: Rotorway Scorpion 133, N4230S, West Hamlin, WV, August 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1984, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: West Hamlin, WV
- Coordinates: 38.279396, -82.19062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2794&lon=-82.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA263

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED PROCEEDING OVER OPEN FIELD USED AS AIR STRIP IN LEVEL FLT, APRX 130 FT AGL, AT 50 KTS. AT END OF FIELD ACFT BEGAN LEFT TURN, NOSE DROPPED TO STEEP DESCENT ATTITUDE WHICH CONTINUED TO GROUND IMPACT. POST-MORTEM SHOWED TRIPLE-BYPASS SURGERY GRAFTS HAD SIGNIFICANT ATHEROSCLEROTIC WALL THICKENING TO 80 PERCENT COMPROMISE WITH PRESENT CONTAINED THROMBUS. EXTREMITY LACERATIONS AND SEVERAL INTERNAL FRACTURES WERE ABSENT OF HEMORRHAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4230S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4230S-1991-04-02), registration cancelled 1991-04-02, S/N 2902 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotorway SCORPION 133 (SCORPION 1)
- Registry model: [Stickler S L SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/stickler-s-l-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025BT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2902
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: S.L. Stickler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1981

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 196 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW

## 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 19840820042199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840820042199A), Aug 20, 1984: Amtrrw SCORPION*, West Hamlin, WV, Destroyed. Helicopter pitched nose down, struck groulnd. Suspect pilot suffered heart problem.

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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