# NTSB DFW06CA020: Deussen Alexander II Rotorway Exec, N5436X, Gibson, LA, November 5, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2005, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Gibson, LA - Coordinates: 29.629167, -90.945831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6292&lon=-90.9458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 62777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62777/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA020 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The 2,000-hour commercial pilot was performing initial hover test flights in a homebuilt helicopter he had recently acquired for parts. The pilot reported that approximately 30-minutes into the first test flight, the liquid cooled engine began to overheat. The pilot added that he elected to land and shut the engine down to investigate. He observed water leaking from a hose clamp on the engine cooling system. He tightened the clamp and waited for the engine to cool down. After checking for leaks, the pilot elected to continue with the test flight. After another 20-minutes of additional hovering, the pilot proceeded to stay in a traffic pattern to perform takeoffs and landings. While in the traffic pattern at his 200 acre ranch, the pilot neglected to monitor the engine instruments and while on the fifth approach, while the helicopter was at about 300 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation; however the helicopter was unable to clear a tree line, and the main rotor blades collided with a tree. The helicopter impacted the ground hard, coming to rest against a tree. At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated that the winds were from 150 degrees at 10 knots. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The 2,000-hour commercial pilot was performing initial hover test flights in a homebuilt helicopter he had recently acquired for parts. The pilot reported that approximately 30-minutes into the first test flight, the liquid cooled engine began to overheat. The pilot added that he elected to land and shut the engine down to investigate. He observed water leaking from a hose clamp on the engine cooling system. He tightened the clamp and waited for the engine to cool down. After checking for leaks, the pilot elected to continue with the test flight. After another 20-minutes of additional hovering, the pilot proceeded to stay in a traffic pattern to perform takeoffs and landings. While in the traffic pattern at his 200 acres ranch, the pilot neglected to monitor the engine instruments and while on the fifth approach, while the helicopter was at about 300 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation; however the helicopter was unable to clear a tree line, and the main rotor blades collided with a tree. The helicopter impacted the ground hard, coming to rest against a tree. At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated that the winds were from 150 degrees at 10 knots. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5436X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5436X-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 1, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Deussen Alexander II Rotorway Exec - Registry model: [Deussen Alexander II ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/deussen-alexander-ii-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017CK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-145-series) (registry code 55005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 58 - Engines: Rotorway RW-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Frankie Gilbert - Registered owner: Frankie Gilbert - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Gibson, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: HUM ## 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 20051105031559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051105031559A), Nov 5, 2005: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Gibson, LA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot attempted his first flight of his experimental helicopter when he reported that his engine quit running at about 300' AGL. After performing ground… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.