# NTSB CHI83LA062: Scorpion Too, N9354A, Sandwich, IL, December 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1982, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sandwich, IL
- Coordinates: 41.639163, -88.619827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6392&lon=-88.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ROTORCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY VERY HARD WITH NO FLARE AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT 100-200 FEET AGL. THE PILOT HAD NO TRAINING IN THIS AIRCRAFT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK AND NO FUEL ODORS WERE PRESENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUELSYSTEM, ENGINE AND COMPONENTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9354A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9354A-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 41325, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION TOO
- Registry model: [Mattson-Harry SCORPION TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/mattson-harry-scorpion-too) (registry code 13025M6) (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: 41325
- Airframe hours: 141
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW133 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Armond Nelson
- Registered owner: Armond Nelson
- Departed: C48, SANDWICH, IL
- Destination: C48, SANDWICH, IL
- Airport: C48, Sandwich, runway 26, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 23 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19821218064439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821218064439A), Dec 18, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Sandwich, IL, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel over airport. Dived into runway. Homebuilt not licensed. Pilot had no previous training.

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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