# NTSB CHI96LA046: Robert Eckley Rotorway, N50235, Salina, KS, December 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1995, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Salina, KS
- Coordinates: 38.810604, -97.60968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8106&lon=-97.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA046

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper maintenance of the helicopter.  Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of proper certification for the operation of the helicopter and his lack of recent experience in type of aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - idling rotors
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to check the cyclic rigging on the helicopter.  This was to be the helicopter's first flight in three years since it was recently taken out of storage.  After start up, the helicopter rolled over.  The pilot stated that the cause of the accident was the over adjusting of the cycle control during the rigging procedure. The pilot has performed all inspections and rigging on the helicopter.  Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that the pilot did not hold a valid medical, airman certificate, nor the student pilot endorsements required to operate the helicopter. The pilot also did not possess a Repairman Certificate.

## Factual narrative

On December 2, 1995, at 1505 central standard time, an Eckley Rotorway helicopter, N50235, piloted by the owner/builder, sustained substantial damage when it rolled over after start up at Salina Municipal Airport, Salina, Kansas.  The non- certificated pilot reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local flight, no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that the helicopter had been in storage for the past three years.  This was to be the helicopter's first flight since taken out of storage.  The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to check the cyclic rigging.  He stated that he has performed all inspections and rigging on the helicopter.

The pilot stated that the cause of the accident was the over adjusting of the cycle control during the rigging procedure which caused the rollover.

Review of the pilot's logbook revealed the pilot did not hold a valid medical, airman certificate, nor the student pilot endorsements required to operate the helicopter.  The pilot had no recent flying experience during the past three years.  The pilot also did not possess a Repairman Certificate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50235](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50235-2000-05-18), registration cancelled 2000-05-18, S/N EXEC 3099 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT ECKLEY ROTORWAY
- Registry model: [Eckley Robert L ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/eckley-robert-l-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017GS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3099
- Airframe hours: 158
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Eckley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1989, 0 hours before
- Departed: SLN
- Airport: SLN, Salina Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN

## 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 19951202045359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951202045359A), Dec 2, 1995: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. First flight in 3YRS. Rolled over on start up. No pilot license. No medical. Rigged chopper. No mechanic license.

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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