# NTSB ERA09CA045: Randall Amanda Rotorway, N103DE, Middletown, DE, November 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2008, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Middletown, DE - Coordinates: 39.52111, -75.720832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5211&lon=-75.7208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA045 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s excessive use of cyclic during the engine run-up. Contributing to the accident were the student pilot’s lack of overall experience and the gusting wind conditions. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622LP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05622LP), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=05622LP), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Rotorcraft flight control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700/cases.md?model=05622LP), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=05622LP), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The 12-hour student pilot was flying the helicopter following repair to the chain drive oil system. The throttle was advanced to 100 percent power while the helicopter was resting on the ground. The helicopter was aligned into the wind. The pilot moved the cyclic to the far right stop during run-up. The helicopter tipped to the right, the wind "caught the aircraft," and the main rotors came in contact with the ground. The helicopter then rolled over, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the winds were from the south at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The recorded wind, at an airport located approximately 10 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative The 12-hour student pilot was flying the helicopter following repair to the chain drive oil system. The throttle was advanced to 100 percent power while the helicopter was resting on the ground. The helicopter was aligned into the wind. The pilot moved the cyclic to the far right stop during run-up. The helicopter tipped to the right, the wind "caught the aircraft," and the main rotors came in contact with the ground. The helicopter then rolled over, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the winds were from the south at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The recorded wind, at an airport located approximately 10 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103DE-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 6821, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RANDALL AMANDA Rotorway (Exec 162F) - Registry model: [Randall Amanda ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/randall-amanda-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 05622LP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-162](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-162) (registry code 55008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6821 - Airframe hours: 9 - Engines: Rotorway RW152 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Randall Amanda - Registered owner: Randall Amanda - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EVY, Middletown, DE - Destination: EVY, Middletown, DE - Airport: EVY, Summit Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: ILG, 10 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 20081109851879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081109851879A), Nov 9, 2008: Randa ROTORWAYEXEC, Middletown, DE, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] stated she was doing an engine run to test the chain oiling system. She was exercising the cyclic to check the travel, and a gust… 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.