# NTSB ATL89DLG01: Upchurch Rotorway Executive, N70289, Lugoff, SC, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Lugoff, SC
- Coordinates: 34.219398, -80.679786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2194&lon=-80.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DLG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DLG01

## Probable cause

IMPROPER EVALUATION OF EXISTING CONDITIONS DURING PREFLIGHT INSPECTION RESULTING IN A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER DUE TO DRAG FROM AN IMBEDDED LEFT SKID.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - movement restricted (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF TO A HOVER AS A RESULT OF THE LEFT SKID BEING SLIGHTLY EMBEDDED IN SOFT EARTH. THE ROTORS CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. THE 21-HOUR STUDENT PILOT/BUILDER WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70289-1989-08-07), registration cancelled 1989-08-07, S/N 10001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UPCHURCH ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Upchurch Joe ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/upchurch-joe-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017JF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10001
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW 152/D 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph M. Upchurch
- Registered owner: Up-Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 25, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: PVT, LUGOFF, SC
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890325004919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325004919A), Mar 25, 1989: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Lugoff, SC, Destroyed. Attempted lift off with left skid slightly embedded in soft earth. Lost control and had a dynamic rollover.

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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