# NTSB ATL95LA070: Roggio Rotorway Executive, N34WR, Toccoa, GA, March 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 1995, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Toccoa, GA - Coordinates: 34.569477, -83.320175 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5695&lon=-83.3202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA070 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A FULL STOP LANDING, AND WAS ON DOWNWIND LEG FOR THE SECOND APPROACH, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA AND ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE GLIDE. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY, FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR A COMPONENT FAILURE. A REVIEW OF WEATHER DATA DISCLOSED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 1995, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Roggio Rotorway Executive helicopter, N34WR, collided with trees short of runway 20, while executing an autorotation at Toccoa Field in Toccoa, Georgia. The training flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The homebuilt helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial rated pilot was not injured. The flight departed Toccoa, Georgia, at 1025 hours. The pilot had completed a normal takeoff and landing to runway 02, and was on the second approach when the pilot heard two loud "pops." After observing a drop in engine and rotor RPM, the engine quit, and the pilot entered an autorotation. Since no other cleared area was nearby, the pilot selected a wooded area for the emergency landing. As the helicopter approached the trees, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to lessen the impact forces with the trees. An examination of the airframe and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem or system malfunction. Flight and engine power control continuity were established during the post accident examination. There were no engine problems observed during the wreckage examination which would have prevented the normal operation of the engine. A review of applicable weather data indicated that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. The pilot did not report the use of carburetor heat during the approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: N34WR (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ROGGIO ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 3246 - Airframe hours: 100 - Engines: ROTORWAY 152 152 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas, John W. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1994, 30 hours before - Departed: TOC - Airport: TOC, Toccoa Field, runway 20, 4,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,500 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 30 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 19950324007099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950324007099A), Mar 24, 1995: Lkheed 132925, Toccoa, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on second approach. Auto rotated into trees short of runway. No anomalies. Carb icing prime suspect. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.