# NTSB CHI04CA206: Tjerrild Rotorway Exec, N777TJ, Eureka, IL, July 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2004, 19:00 local (Jul 31, 2004, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Eureka, IL - Coordinates: 40.683334, -89.274444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6833&lon=-89.2744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Springfield, IL FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59847 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59847/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA206 ## Probable cause The in-flight loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the high tension wire from its ignition coil during cruise flight and the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered during his forced landing. A factor was the low altitude the helicopter was cruising at when the power loss occured. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ignition system,high tension wiring - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and crops during a forced landing, following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot stated, "Established level cruise at 1000 MSL and 70 mph. Engine stopped without warning. Executed an auto rotate into corn field below. As main rotors entered corn the aircraft yawed left and stopped partially tipped over on left side. No injuries." An inspection of the wreckage revealed that the high-tension wire from the ignition coil was detached. The helicopter was not modified with the kit manufacturer's service bulletin for its conversion to a dual ignition system. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2004, about 1900 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Tjerrild Rotorway Exec helicopter, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and crops during a forced landing, following an in-flight loss of engine power near Eureka, Illinois. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No Flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The local flight originated near Eureka, Illinois, and was in cruise flight at the time of the loss of engine power. The pilot stated: Took off from Eureka College ball field toward the South. Executed climbing left hand turn around to a heading of [approximately] 360 [degrees] and up to 1000 MSL [feet above mean sea level]. Established level cruise at 1000 MSL and 70 mph. Engine stopped without warning. Executed an auto rotate into corn field below. As main rotors entered corn the aircraft yawed left and stopped partially tipped over on left side. No injuries. Accident site [approximately] 1 mile from take-off point. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector performed an inspection of the wreckage. The high-tension wire from the ignition coil was found detached. Rotorway International issued a service bulletin dated May 15, 1992 on the helicopter's ignition system. That service bulletin stated: TO ALL EXEC BUILDERS EXEC MANDATORY/ADVISORY SERVICE BULLETIN A-07 History: Electronic Ignition Systems have proven to be more reliable and easier to maintain than conventional distributor ignitions. Action: For Exec helicopters, RotorWay International recommends ONLY the Dual electronic Ignition system as equipped on our R.I. 162 engines. This system features two completely independent ignition systems, including two spark plugs per cylinder, designed to operate simultaneously. Either ignition system will support full power performance. We recommend only this ignition system and will no longer sell or support distributor ignitions. The dual electronic ignition system may be fitted to any Exec with the RW 145 or RW 152 engine, and is strongly recommended. If you have purchased a rebuilt distributor from RotorWay International, the conversion to the dual electronic ignition system is regarded as mandatory. The accident helicopter was not modified with that service bulletin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N777TJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777TJ-2007-05-05), registration cancelled 2007-05-05, S/N 3032 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tjerrild Rotorway Exec - Registry model: [Tjerrild William J ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/tjerrild-william-j-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13025EF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-145-series) (registry code 55005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 3032 - Airframe hours: 208 - Engines: Rotorway RW 145 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bradley Alan Deckert - Registered owner: Brad Deckert - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: Eureka, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 3, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: C75, 20 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 20040730016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040730016939A), Jul 30, 2004: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Eureka, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While flying at 1000 ft MSL, the engine quit and the pilot executed an autorotation into a corn field. The rotorblades hit the corn and the helicopter… 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.