# NTSB CEN25LA038: Composite FX Mosquito XE, N869DJ, Waco, TX, November 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2024, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Waco, TX
- Coordinates: 31.506745, -97.304585
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5067&lon=-97.3046&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Composite-FX, FAA- North Texas FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195474/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195474
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA038

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain during an autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the improper sealing of the liquid cooling system.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng liquid cooling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md?model=05637VZ), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05637VZ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05637VZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05637VZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while returning to the airport, the helicopter’s engine rpm dropped to zero with no warning. He initiated an autorotation and aligned the helicopter to touch down in an open field but noticed powerlines as he got closer. The pilot maneuvered away from the field and aimed for a clearing in a residential backyard. The main rotor blades impacted a tree, and the helicopter fell about 15 ft to the ground before it came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. According to maintenance records, the engine was removed and replaced about a month before the accident. Additionally, a condition inspection was completed by the owner four days before the accident during which he changed the spark plugs and adjusted the fuel mixture. A post-accident examination revealed corrosion at the radiator fill tube connection and a loose band clamp. Additionally, the engine exhibited signatures consistent with being operated at a temperature above the normal operating temperatures and evidence of piston seizure due to thermal expansion.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N869DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N869DJ-2025-01-13), registration cancelled 2025-01-13, S/N MXE1329D18B, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Composite FX Mosquito XE
- Registry model: [Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285](https://openairdocs.org/model/campbell-richard-w-mosquito-xe285) (registry code 05637VZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Inntec 800](https://openairdocs.org/engine/inntec-800) (registry code 34699, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: MXE1329D18B
- Year built: 2018
- Airframe hours: 73.5
- Engines: Innovator Technology Inntec 800 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Campbell Richard W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 7, 2024, 0.7 hours before
- Departed: PWG, McGregor, TX
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review October 31, 2024; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,890 total, 66 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KPWG, 1 nm away
- METAR: KPWG 112056Z AUTO 05004KT 10SM CLR 26/09 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP155 T02610089 56027

## 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 20241111022129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241111022129A), Nov 11, 2024: Campbell Richard W MOSQUITO XE285, Waco, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft impact with terrain during an autorotation.

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195474.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17958542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N869DJ_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18187929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18197369&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20Logs%20Docket_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� composite fx (item 4, PDF, 1 page): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18198117&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Messex-Rel.pdf
- Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 9.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18188385&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form_Composite%20FX_Signed_Redacted-Rel.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.

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