# NTSB DFW06CA156: Campbell W/Smiley J Execytive 162F, N17VH, Porter, TX, June 8, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2006, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Porter, TX
- Coordinates: 30.153333, -95.321945
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1533&lon=-95.3219&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA156

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control after encountering dynamic rollover while hovering.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- Roll over, hover
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

The 38-hour student helicopter pilot stated he intended to practice hovering maneuvers over a grass apron adjacent to a taxiway at the airport.  The pilot reported that while in the process of changing directions, while hovering at a skid height of 18 inches off the ground, the left landing gear skid came in contact with the ground and he was unable to stop or correct the rollover.  The main rotor blades of the experimental single-engine helicopter were destroyed when the helicopter came to rest on its right side.  The pilot, who held a private certificate in airplanes single-engine land, reported he had accumulated a total of 1,986 hours.  In a narrative statement submitted by the pilot he added that "the accident was due solely to pilot error and did not involve any other aircraft, person, vehicles, or property."

## Factual narrative

The 38-hour helicopter student pilot stated he intended to practice hovering maneuvers over a grass apron adjacent to a taxiway at the airport.  The pilot reported that while in the process of changing directions, while hovering at a skid height of 18 inches off the ground, the left landing gear skid came in contact with the ground and he was unable to stop or correct the rollover.  The main rotor blades of the experimental single-engine helicopter were destroyed when the helicopter came to rest on its right side.  The pilot, who held a private certificate in airplanes single-engine land, reported he had accumulated a total of 1,986 hours.  In a narrative statement submitted by the pilot he added that "the accident was due solely to pilot error and did not involve any other aircraft, person, vehicles, or property."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17VH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17VH), registered now, S/N 6684, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Campbell W/Smiley J Execytive 162F
- Registry model: [Campbell W/Smiley J EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/campbell-w-smiley-j-exec-162f) (registry code 056144L) (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: 6684
- Airframe hours: 285
- Engines: Rotorway RI 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clint Alexander
- Registered owner: Clint Akexander
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 28.3 hours before
- Departed: 9X1, Porter, TX
- Destination: 9X1, Porter, TX
- Airport: 9X1, Williams Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,986 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,908 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: IAH

## 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 20060608010389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060608010389A), Jun 8, 2006: Amtr EXEC162F, Porter, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was found laying on the right side of the fuselage, pointing in an easterly direction. It was east of the taxiway near the north hangar in…

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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