# NTSB DEN83LTI01: Scorpion 133, N133RW, Manhattan, MT, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1982, 18:30 local (Oct 3, 1982, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan, MT
- Location: 45.8586° N, 111.3303° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manhattan, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8586&lon=-111.3303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LTI01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LTI01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,battery - output low (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - disabled (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

BATTERY FAILED BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN CHARGED. NO ON BOARD CHARGING PROVISION. ELECTRIC PUMP COULD NOT OPERATE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. NO FUEL TO ENGINE. DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, THE TAIL ROTOR WAS DAMAGED. WITH NO TAIL ROTOR CONTROL, THE HELICOPTER SLID SIDEWAYS AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N133RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N133RW-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 2552, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION 133
- Registry model: [Molendyk SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/molendyk-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025K5) (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: 2552
- Airframe hours: 389
- Engines: ROTORWAY 133 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joe Molendyk
- Registered owner: Joe Molendyk
- Departed: MANHATTAN, MT
- Destination: MANHATTAN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 500 total, 410 in this make and model, 465 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °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 19821002051719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821002051719A), Oct 2, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION1, Manhattan, MT, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Made hard autorotation landing. Battery operated fuel pump quit due to dead battery.

## Other investigations on N133RW (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79FTI15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTI15), May 21, 1979: Scorpion II (N133RW), Belgrade, MT, substantial damage

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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