# NTSB CEN09CA394: Sidler Mike Rotorway, N1934, Waxahachie, TX, June 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2009, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Waxahachie, TX - Coordinates: 32.453609, -96.907501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4536&lon=-96.9075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Dallas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA394 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74158/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74158 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA394 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to control his rate of descent during autorotation, which required an aggressive recovery maneuver and resulted in a sudden loss of tail rotor effectiveness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Tail rotor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05621VP), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting a practice 180-degree power recovery autorotation in a helicopter with a clockwise rotating main rotor with a right crosswind of three knots. The pilot said he had a higher than expected rate of descent as he was flaring at zero airspeed and attempting a power recovery to terminate at a skid height of approximately 15 feet above ground level. Suddenly, and without warning the pilot lost directional control, the helicopter began to spin nose left, and his application of full right pedal had no effect. The pilot said he tried to keep the helicopter level while it was spinning, but it eventually impacted on the left side of the taxiway. The helicopter was substantially damaged when the left skid gear partially collapsed and the airframe and tail boom buckled. During the impact sequence the main rotor blades struck the tail boom and the main rotor blades and tail rotor blades struck the ground. An on-scene investigation by an FAA maintenance inspector confirmed flight control continuity and confirmed no apparent damage to the tail rotor drive belts. There was no post-crash fire and the pilot received minor injuries. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was conducting a practice 180 degree power recovery autorotation in a helicopter with a clockwise rotating main rotor with a right crosswind of three knots. The pilot said he had a higher than expected rate of descent as he was flaring at zero airspeed and attempting a power recovery to terminate at a skid height of approximately 15 feet above ground level. Suddenly and without warning the pilot lost directional control, the helicopter began to spin nose left, and his application of full right pedal had no effect. The pilot said he tried to keep the helicopter level while it was spinning but it eventually impacted on the left side of the taxiway. The helicopter was substantially damaged when the left skid gear partially collapsed and the airframe and tail boom buckled. During the impact sequence the main rotor blades struck the tail boom and the main rotor blades and tail rotor blades struck the ground. An on-scene investigation by an FAA maintenance inspector confirmed flight control continuity and confirmed no apparent damage to the tail rotor drive belts. There was no post-crash fire and the pilot received minor injuries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1934](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1934), registered now, S/N 6294, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIDLER MIKE ROTORWAY (162 F) - Registry model: [Sidler Mike ROTORWAY 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/sidler-mike-rotorway-162f) (registry code 05621VP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-162F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-162f) (registry code 55007, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6294 - Airframe hours: 197 - Engines: Rotorway RI 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sidler Mike - Registered owner: Sidler Mike - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 17, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: KJWY, Waxahachie, TX - Destination: KJWY, Waxahachie, TX - Airport: KJWY, Mid-Way Regional Airport, runway 18, 4,999 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 90 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KJWY, 1 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 20090627011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090627011229A), Jun 27, 2009: Amtr ROTORWAY162F, Midlothian/Wax, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was approaching the south side of taxiway where he planned to hover at 10 feet and fly to his hangar. During transition, he lost… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74158. 305 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.