- Date
- July 22, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Harvey, ND
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- C-FWBNHamilton Rotorway Exec 90
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 31, 2007
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA-Fargo FSDO
- Case key
- 66607
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the airport ramp area during the return for landing, which resulted in the landing skid dragging on the edge of the pavement and causing the helicopter to roll over.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The amateur-built helicopter was substantially damaged when it caught a skid and rolled over during landing. The pilot stated that he originally landed at the accident airport as an intermediate fuel stop. After fueling, the pilot and passenger planned to continue the trip. The pilot stated that on takeoff, the helicopter had not obtained translational lift before he flew from the paved ramp area toward an agricultural field and "lost [the] cushion of air." He made a "sharp" 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the ramp area; however, the "passenger side skid hooked [the] edge of [the] tarmac" and the helicopter rolled onto its side. He noted that he had not allowed for the temperature increase from the time of his takeoff on the previous flight until the accident takeoff. He added that he should have reduced the fuel load and not flown with a passenger. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the helicopter.
Factual narrative
The amateur-built helicopter was substantially damaged when it caught a skid and rolled over during landing. The pilot stated that he originally landed at the accident airport as an intermediate fuel stop. After fueling, the pilot and passenger planned to continue the trip. The pilot stated that on takeoff, the helicopter had not obtained translational lift before he flew from the paved ramp area toward an agricultural field and "lost [the] cushion of air." He made a "sharp" 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the ramp area; however, the "passenger side skid hooked [the] edge of [the] tarmac" and the helicopter rolled onto its side. He noted that he had not allowed for the temperature increase from the time of his takeoff on the previous flight until the accident takeoff. He added that he should have reduced the fuel load and not flown with a passenger. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the helicopter.
Aircraft
- Registration
- C-FWBN
- Reported as
- Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 6020
- Airframe hours
- 500
- Engine
- Rotorway RI-162F, 162 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · September 1, 2006
- Departed
- 5H4 · Harvey, ND
- Destination
- OSH · Oshkosh, WI
- Flight plan
- VFR
- Airport
- ND17 · Harvey Muni
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- February 1, 2007
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 81 total · 35 in this make and model · 35 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DVL