# NTSB CHI00LA049: Rotorway Exec 90, N990JR, Georgetown, IN, December 17, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1999, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, IN
- Coordinates: 38.289325, -85.969139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2893&lon=-85.9691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA049

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty tailwind condition and the low altitude at which the helicopter was hovering.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

The pilot reported he lifted the helicopter off of the pad which was located to the east of a hangar/building.  He reported the winds were from 260 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots.  He reported he moved further east of the building in a two foot hover and was in an area where the helicopter was no longer protected from the winds by the building.  He continued to report, 'Wind hit tail forcing helicopter to nose down attitude before being able to correct with cyclic aircraft contacted ground with left skid and rolled over.'

## Factual narrative

On December 17, 1999, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Rotorway Exec 90, N990JR, rolled over following a loss of control during a hover taxi on private property in Georgetown, Indiana.  The private helicopter-rated pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The helicopter was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported he lifted the helicopter off of the pad which was located to the east of a hangar/building.  He reported the winds were from 260 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots.  He reported he moved further east of the building in a two foot hover and was in an area where the helicopter was no longer protected from the winds by the building.  He continued to report, "Wind hit tail forcing helicopter to nose down attitude before being able to correct with cyclic aircraft contacted ground with left skid and rolled over."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N990JR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Rotorway EXEC 90
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3493
- Airframe hours: 44
- Engines: Rotorway RW 152/162 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Robert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1999, 4 hours before
- Departed: PVT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 428 total, 44 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDF, 15 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 19991217046269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991217046269A), Dec 17, 1999: Amtr EXEC90, Georgetown, IN, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to hover with a strong tailwind and a forward CG. Aircraft nose pitched down with pilot applying full aft cyclic. Left skid contacted…

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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