# NTSB CHI07CA094: McCall Rotorway 162F, N162MC, Malta, IL, March 26, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 26, 2007, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Malta, IL
- Coordinates: 41.933612, -88.705558
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9336&lon=-88.7056&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: DuPage FSDO, Illinois
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA094

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the rotorcraft flight controls resulting in a dynamic rollover during takeoff.  A factor was the soft ground that the left skid encountered.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a dynamic roll over on takeoff.  The pilot made a precautionary landing, in a cornfield, in response to a warning light.  After resolving the light issue and during takeoff, the "right skid rose off the ground but the left skid made no attempt to raise and the helicopter abruptly rolled over onto the left skid and continued over until the rotor blades contacted the ground.  ... The left skid had sunk into the ground further than it appeared."  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.  The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "I could have made a ... more [thorough] check of ground conditions before attempting a takeoff."

## Factual narrative

The helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain when it dynamically rolled over on takeoff following a precautionary landing, in a cornfield, in response to a warning light.  The pilot reported, in reference to the takeoff, that the "right skid rose off the ground but the left skid made no attempt to raise and the helicopter abruptly rolled over onto the left skid and continued over until the rotor blades contacted the ground.  ... The left skid had sunk into the ground further than it appeared."  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.  The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "I could have made a ... more [thorough] check of ground conditions before attempting a takeoff."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N162MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162MC-2012-03-14), registration cancelled 2012-03-14, S/N 6493, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McCall Rotorway 162F
- Registry model: [Mccall Ryan L ROTORWAY 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mccall-ryan-l-rotorway-162f) (registry code 0561065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-162F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-162f) (registry code 55007, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6493
- Airframe hours: 202.3
- Engines: Rotorway RI 162 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen Doonnan/Lon Dienst
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2006
- Departed: DKB, DE KALB, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,892 total, 33 in this make and model, 3,853 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: DKB

## 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 20070326006629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070326006629A), Mar 26, 2007: Amtr ROTORWAY162F, Malta, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter departed dekalb airport (dkb) for a local flight. At approximately 7 miles west of dkb a yellow engine warning light came on the fadec display…

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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