# NTSB DEN83FTE04: Scorpion 133, N4KF, Englewood, CO, November 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1982, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Location: 39.6470° N, 104.9945° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Englewood, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6470&lon=-104.9945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTE04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE PILOT HAD MODIFIED THE COWLING AND HAD ONLY COMPLETED THE FIRST PHASE OF HIS TRAINING IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THE SCHOOL WARNED THE STUDENT NOT TO TRY ADVANCED FLYING WITHOUT MORE INSTRUCTION. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE PILOT REFUELING THE HELICOPTER WITH A PARTIALLY FILLED, 5 GAL CAN OF AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY WHEN THE PILOT BEGAN REFUELING. THEREFORE, THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD 5 GAL OR LESS ON BOARD WHEN IT TOOK OFF. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE ENGINE USED 8 TO 9 GAL PER HOUR. AFTER FLYING 15 TO 20 MIN, THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT AND CRASHED. VIRTUALLY NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE HELICOPTER, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT FUEL HAD DRAINED OUT AT THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4KF-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N KF001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION 133
- Registry model: [Harrison Gregory SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/harrison-gregory-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025DC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: KF001
- Airframe hours: 29
- Engines: ROTORWAY 133TC 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: G.F. Harrison
- Registered owner: G.F. Harrison
- Departed: ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 165 total, 23 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- 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 19821122061129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821122061129A), Nov 22, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION*, Englewood, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student helicopter pilot and passenger were killed in uncontrolled descent when engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.

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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