# NTSB CHI89DEK02: Keener Rotorway/Exec, N4JK, Circleville, OH, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 10:49 local (14:49 UTC)
- Place: Circleville, OH
- Coordinates: 39.599037, -82.929443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5990&lon=-82.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEK02

## Probable cause

MATERIAL FAILURE OF AN OIL LINE ALLOWING OIL TO ESCAPE AND IGNITE AS IT TOUCHED HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD SURFACES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - ruptured (cause)
- Fire/explosion, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - fire (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, AND NOTED A LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION IN A FIELD. AFTER LANDING, FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE AREA OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. TWO HANDHELD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE EXPENDED ON THE FLAMES, BUT EFFORTS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE HELCIOPTER WAS DESTROYED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DETERMINED THAT OIL MOST PROBABLY WAS LEAKING FROM A SPLIT IN THE OIL PRESSURE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4JK-1991-09-19), registration cancelled 1991-09-19, S/N 86E3429A (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KEENER ROTORWAY/EXEC (ROTORWAY/E)
- Registry model: [Keener Jeffrey L ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/keener-jeffrey-l-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017HZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 86E3429A
- Engines: Rotorway RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey L. Keener
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: RZT, CHILLICOTHE, OH
- Destination: RZT, CHILLICOTHE, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 53 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890806027389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027389A), Aug 6, 1989: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Circleville, OH, Destroyed. Engine oil pressure line split. Smoke in cabin. Autorotated and landed. Fire erupted. Unable to check. Craft burned

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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