# NTSB CHI88DEX09: Sollars Rotorway Executive, N3047, Newburgh, IN, July 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1988, 13:03 local (18:03 UTC)
- Place: Newburgh, IN
- Coordinates: 37.969802, -87.570137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9698&lon=-87.5701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEX09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEX09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER WAS ON AN APCH TO LAND AT A PRIVATE HELIPORT. THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THE HELICOPTER WAS AT APRX 50 FT AGL WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING AN AUTOROTATION, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS OR FUEL LINES & NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3047](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3047-1989-11-03), registration cancelled 1989-11-03, S/N RW1521717 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOLLARS ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Sollars David B ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sollars-david-b-rotorway-executive) (registry code 13017FS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: RW 152-1717
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David B. Sollars
- Registered owner: David B Sollars
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: MADISONVILLE, KY
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 35 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19880715026779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880715026779A), Jul 15, 1988: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Newbourgh, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Made hard vertical crash landing apparently caused by low rotor RPM on autorotation.

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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