# NTSB ERA09CA042: Sundt Daniel N Rotorway Exec 162-F, N8286D, West Chester, PA, November 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2008, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: West Chester, PA - Coordinates: 39.990001, -75.581665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9900&lon=-75.5817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69415/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance above terrain while performing a pedal turn. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sundt Daniel N ROTORWAY EXEC 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622JM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Sundt Daniel N ROTORWAY EXEC 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05622JM), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder of the amateur-built Rotorway Exec 162-F stated that while hovering the helicopter over a taxiway, he initiated a 180-degree left pedal turn. During the turn, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground on its right side. The helicopter had accumulated about 4 total flight hours since the pilot had completed building it. The pilot reported that he possessed about 2,000 total hours of flight experience, with 24 hours in rotorcraft (all of which were in the accident helicopter make and model). Additionally, the pilot also held a solo endorsement to fly the accident helicopter make and model. The pilot reported that there were no problems with the performance and handling of the helicopter. The pilot further stated that he believed he may have been hovering the helicopter closer to the ground than he had previously thought while performing the pedal turn, and that one of the skids may have impacted the pavement during the turn and initiated the rollover. ## Factual narrative The pilot/builder of the amateur-built Rotorway Exec 162-F stated that while hovering the helicopter over a taxiway, he initiated a 180-degree left pedal turn. During the turn, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground on its right side. The helicopter had accumulated about 4 total flight hours since the pilot had completed building it. The pilot reported that he possessed about 2,000 total hours of flight experience, with 24 hours in rotorcraft (all of which were in the accident helicopter make and model). Additionally, the pilot also held a solo endorsement to fly the accident helicopter make and model. The pilot reported that there were no problems with the performance and handling of the helicopter. The pilot further stated that he believed he may have been hovering the helicopter closer to the ground than he had previously thought while performing the pedal turn, and that one of the skids may have impacted the pavement during the turn and initiated the rollover. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8286D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8286D), registered now, S/N 6742, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SUNDT DANIEL N Rotorway Exec 162-F - Registry model: [Sundt Daniel N ROTORWAY EXEC 162-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/sundt-daniel-n-rotorway-exec-162-f) (registry code 05622JM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-162F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-162f) (registry code 55007, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6742 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Rotorway International RI 162F 147 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 11, 2008 - Departed: OQN, West Chester, PA - Destination: OQN, West Chester, PA - Airport: OQN, Brandywine Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,001 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,881 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: MWS, 13 nm away ## 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 20081104850419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081104850419A), Nov 4, 2008: Sundtd ROTORWAY162F, West Chester, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The builder/pilot of the amateur-built helicopter was practicing hover/taxi maneuvers at Brandywine Airport (koqn) on 11/04/2008. He is a certificated… 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.