# NTSB CHI82FA260: Rotorway Scorpion TOO, N9239Z, Niles, OH, July 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1982, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Niles, OH
- Coordinates: 41.180702, -80.750144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1807&lon=-80.7501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - vertical takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT'S WIFE STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS TAKEN ACROSS THE STREET TO AN OPEN FIELD WHERE THE PLT CONDUCTED HIS FLT IN THE ACFT. SHE HAD NEVER SEEN HIM FLY THIS ACFT OVER ABOUT 3 FT AGL. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO JUMP AS IF LIFTED BY A GUST OF WIND & VEERED OVER THE BUSHES & SMALL TREES. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO CLIMB & TURN TO THE LEFT AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 50 FT HIGH THE HELICOPTER THEN CAME STRAIGHT DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9239Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9239Z-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 7585, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY AIRCRAFT, INC. SCORPION TOO (SCORPION T)
- Registry model: [Bell SCORPION TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-scorpion-too) (registry code 13025A4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7585
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: OUTBOARD 135 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: George L. Bell
- Registered owner: George L. Bell
- Departed: NILES, OH
- Destination: NILES, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 43 total, 11 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820721030769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820721030769A), Jul 21, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Niles, OH, Destroyed. Indicates pilot-builder became unexpectedly airborne. Lost control of helicopter and dived into ground.

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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