# NTSB CEN14LA228: Brecher Rotorway Exec, N43691, Richwood, OH, April 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 2014, 12:48 local (16:48 UTC) - Place: Richwood, OH - Coordinates: 40.419147, -83.289306 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4191&lon=-83.2893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, CMH FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89162/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89162 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA228 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s inadequate autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and postcrash fire. Contributing was the flight instructor’s lack of experience in performing an autorotation in the accident make and model of helicopter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05619IN), [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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619IN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor heard a noise during cruise flight 800 feet above ground level and saw a caution light illuminate on the instrument panel during an instructional flight. He did not recall if there was a loss of engine power. He performed a precautionary autorotation, the helicopter landed hard, and a postcrash fire destroyed the helicopter. The flight instructor had not previously performed an autorotation in the helicopter make and model. The postcrash fire precluded functional testing of any of the helicopter's systems; however, examination of the helicopter did not reveal evidence of any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 2014, at 1248 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Brecher Rotorway Exec 162F, N43691, impacted terrain during a hard landing to a field near Richwood, Ohio. The pilot stated that he performed a precautionary autorotation when a caution annunciator light illuminated. The helicopter was destroyed by post impact fire. A pilot, who was the helicopter builder/owner, and a flight instructor sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated from Delaware Municipal Airport - Jim Moore Field (DLZ), Delaware, Ohio, at 1215 and was destined to Mount Victory, Ohio. The flight instructor stated that he performed an autorotation after he saw a caution light illuminate on the instrument panel and heard a noise during cruise flight at 800 feet above ground level. He said that he did not know if there was a loss of engine power. The flight instructor had not previously performed an autorotation in a Rotorway Exec 162F. Examination of the engine revealed that engine case contained holes consistent with post-crash fire damage. All of the engine pistons were connected to the crank shaft. All of the piston rings were intact. The piston domes did not display melting or damage consistent with valve contact. The piston domes had the following writing: "L2490 STO" and "2C150". All of the spark plug's center and ground electrodes were intact. The intake and exhaust valves were not fractured. The engine FADEC and engine accessories were destroyed by fire. Examination of the main rotor chain drive revealed that the chain was resting on around and within the teeth of both sprockets. About half of the larger sprocket was consumed by post-crash fire. The surrounding structure did not exhibit any witness marks consistent with impact from the chain. Examination of the flight control system confirmed flight control continuity. Impact and post-crash fire damage precluded functional testing of the helicopter. An aircraft logbook entry showed that the helicopter was issued a special airworthiness certificate on December 18, 2006. The last logbook entry was dated April 21, 2013, and had a total time in service of 56.2 hours. A National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report was not received from the helicopter owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43691](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43691-2014-08-18), registration cancelled 2014-08-18, S/N 6615, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRECHER ROTORWAY EXEC (162F) - Registry model: [Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/brecher-henry-h-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 05619IN) (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: 6615 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 56 - Engines: Rotorway RI 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 18, 2013, 15 hours before - Departed: DLZ, Delaware, OH - Destination: Mt Victory, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,313 total, 58 in this make and model, 3,228 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 81; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: DLZ, 12 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 20140424007659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140424007659A), Apr 24, 2014: Brecher Henry H ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, Richwood, OH, Destroyed. The PIC reported, they were flying to Mt. Victory for lunch, he heard a noise at 1700FT(800 ft AGL)looked at the instrument panel, saw a caution light, I… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89162. 7.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Engine Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Record of Examination (item 5, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Examination-Master.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.