# NTSB CHI04CA020: Shapowal Rotorway Exec 90, N442DS, Cushing, MN, October 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2003, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Cushing, MN - Coordinates: 46.221111, -94.64083 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2211&lon=-94.6408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA020 ## Probable cause Selection of an unsuitable landing area by the pilot due to the static wire across the approach path. Contributing factors were the pilot's disorientation, the static wire and the low light (dusk) conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The amateur-built helicopter was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire, and subsequently the terrain, during an approach for a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that he delayed his planned flight due to high winds. He stated that once the winds had died down, he departed for what should have been a 10 minute flight. However, after takeoff he reported that he made a wrong turn and became disoriented. While attempting to orient himself, the pilot "determined that [he] no longer had enough light to fly." He selected a location for a precautionary landing. He stated that he did not see the power lines on short final due to the poor lighting conditions. He reported that the helicopter "hit [the] power line at low speed and was thrown back and down on [its] left side." The pilot stated there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 2003, at 1830 central daylight time, an amateur-built Shapowal Rotorway Exec 90 helicopter, N442DS, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire, and subsequently the terrain, during an approach for a precautionary landing near Cushing, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed a farm 9 miles northwest of Motley, Minnesota, at 1610, with an intended destination of the pilot's residence 3 miles southwest of Pillager, Minnesota. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he delayed his planned flight due to high winds earlier in the day. He stated that once the winds had died down, he departed for what should have been a 10 minute flight. He noted that after departure, he "turned north instead of south" and "after a few minutes [he] determined [he] was going the wrong direction." He subsequently located Motley, however he "missed the left (east) turn on County 28 south of Motley." At that point, the pilot "determined that [he] no longer had enough light to fly." He stated that he selected a location for a precautionary landing. He reported that he did not see the power lines on short final due to the poor lighting conditions. He stated that the helicopter "hit [the] power line at low speed and was thrown back and down on [its] left side." The pilot stated there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N442DS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Shapowal Rotorway Exec 90 - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 5165 - Airframe hours: 112 - Engines: Rotorway RI-162 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2002, 24 hours before - Departed: PVT, Motley, MN - Destination: PVT, Pillager, MN - Airport: N/A ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 3 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: SAZ, 20 nm away 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.