# NTSB CHI07CA226: Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90, Harvey, ND, July 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Harvey, ND
- Coordinates: 47.79111, -99.931663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7911&lon=-99.9317&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Fargo FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA226

## 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

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6020
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; 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

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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