# NTSB BFO91LA012: Taylor Rotorway Executive, N514RT, Keysville, VA, November 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1990, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Keysville, VA
- Coordinates: 37.03038, -78.479881 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0304&lon=-78.4799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA012

## Probable cause

A JAMMED ENGINE THROTTLE CABLE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LOW ROTOR RPM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - throttle/power lever,cable - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - rotor rpm - not maintained

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS EN ROUTE AT ABOUT 1000 AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERSPEED. HE STATED THE THROTTLE WAS INEFFECTIVE. HE SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE AND MADE AN AUTOROTATION LANDING IN AN FIELD. DURING THE APPROACH HE USED COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR TREES, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE ROTOR RPM REDUCED TO 400 RPM. HE LANDED HARD, COLLASPING THE LEFT LANDING SKID AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE, WHICH IS ROUTED FORWARD OF THE ENGINE STARTER RING GEAR, BECAME LODGED IN THE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N514RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N514RT-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 3213, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLOR ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Taylor Robert S ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylor-robert-s-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017HQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3123
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent James Misti, Jr.
- Registered owner: Donald Huot
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1990, 6 hours before
- Departed: W78, SOUTH BOSTON, VA
- Destination: W83, ASHLAND, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 680 total, 12 in this make and model, 572 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH

## 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 19901112049709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901112049709A), Nov 12, 1990: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Keysville, VA, Substantial damage. Engine overspeed en route. Shutdown. Autorotated. Rotor decay clearing trees folded skids. Throttle cable fouled.

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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