# NTSB ATL89DKG03: Rotorway Exec, N7043T, Roswell, GA, May 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Roswell, GA
- Coordinates: 34.029041, -84.349876 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0290&lon=-84.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKG03

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROLS WHILE IN A HOVER. ADDING TO THIS WAS THE PILOTS TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE OPERATING HELICOPTERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THE 'HELICOPTER STARTED CIRCLING TO THE LEFT' AS HE WAS HOVERING IN HIS BACKYARD. HIS ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER TO A STEADY HOVER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND ABOUT 2-3 FEET AGL THE BLADES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON ITS LEFT SIDE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. HE ATTRIBUTED THE OCCURENCE TO BREAKAGE OF THE TAIL ROTOR OR BELT SLIPPAGE. HOWEVER, EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS FUNCTIONING AND THE BELT WAS INTACT AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7043T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7043T-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 3484 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY EXEC
- Registry model: [Callahan David ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/callahan-david-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017JS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3484
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Callahan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890529015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529015809A), May 29, 1989: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Roswell, GA, Substantial damage. Crashed on shore of a lake during a practice hover. Indicates inadequate skill level.

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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