# NTSB BFO92FLQ01: James D. Riehm Rotorway Exec, N191JD, Bowling Green, KY, March 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1992, 17:07 local (22:07 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, KY
- Coordinates: 36.949821, -86.280433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9498&lon=-86.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FLQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FLQ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM WHICH RESULTED IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD TOLD FRIENDS THAT HE WAS TEACHING HIMSELF TO FLY THE HELICOPTER INSTEAD OF ATTENDING THE MANUFACTURER'S TRAINING COURSE.  HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN PRACTICING AUTOROTATION FROM 4000 FEET MSL AND DOING A POWER RECOVERY AT 2000 FEET MSL.  ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE FELT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO DO A POWER OFF AUTOROTATION TO THE GROUND.  SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, A WITNESS SAID HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER FLY OVER AT 600 FEET AGL HEADED SOUTH. HE HEARD TWO LOUD BANGS AND THEN HE NOTICED THE HELICOPTER SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD.  THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N191JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N191JD-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 544, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES D. RIEHM ROTORWAY EXEC (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Riehm James Dennis ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/riehm-james-dennis-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017LK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 544
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Dennis Riehm
- Registered owner: James Dennis Riehm
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1991

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 4 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 19920323007999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920323007999A), Mar 23, 1992: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Bowling Green, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness heard explosion and helicopter spin to ground. Main rotor struck tail boom. Did not take rotorway training

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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