# NTSB CHI03IA207: Spiker Rotorway 162F, N444T, Creve Coeur, MO, July 11, 2003

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2003, 18:45 UTC
- Place: Creve Coeur, MO
- Coordinates: 38.7275, -90.508056
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7275&lon=-90.5081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-St. Louis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03IA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03IA207

## Probable cause

The inadvertent dynamic rollover of the helicopter after the helicopter became airborne during an engine run-up.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not successful, pilot in command

## Analysis

The helicopter rolled over onto its left side during an engine run-up.  The student pilot reported the helicopter became airborne during the run-up.  He attempted to recover from the inadvertent lift-off by lowering the collective to the full down position, but the helicopter was already rolling to the left.  The student pilot remarked, "It is this pilot's opinion that the aircraft experienced a dynamic roll over condition."  He reported he did not intend to become airborne.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 2003, at 1845 central daylight time, an amateur-built Spiker Rotorway 162F helicopter, N444T, sustained minor damage when it rolled over on its left side during an engine run-up at Creve Coeur Airport, St. Louis, Missouri.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the engine run-up.

The student pilot reported he was performing an engine run-up to check the engine and drive train.  The pilot stated, "After run-up with collective throttle at about 100% the aircraft became airborne."  The pilot reported he "immediately" lowered the collective to the full down position, but the helicopter was already beginning a roll to the left.  The helicopter rotated onto its left side and came to a stop.  The pilot remarked, "It is this pilot's opinion that the aircraft experienced a dynamic roll over condition." The pilot reported he did not intend to become airborne.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or defects prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444T-2016-11-18), registration cancelled 2016-11-18, S/N 6136, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Spiker Rotorway 162F
- Registry model: [Spiker Ronald J EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/spiker-ronald-j-exec-162f) (registry code 05602YU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6138
- Airframe hours: 129
- Engines: Rotorway 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2003, 0 hours before
- Departed: IH0, Creve Coeur, MO
- Destination: 1H0, Creve Coeur, MO
- Airport: 1H0, Creve Coeur Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 42; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 15 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 7 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 20030711015139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030711015139A), Jul 11, 2003: Amtr EXEC162F, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) Creve coure airport (1H0): on July 11th, at approximately 6:45 pm Mr. Clark richter (owner) was performing a run up test of N444T (rotorway exec 162F…

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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