# NTSB FTW02LA250: Gray Rotorway Exec 90, N716JB, Las Cruces, NM, September 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 2002, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.293609, -106.925552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2936&lon=-106.9256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA250 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, emergency landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The student pilot checked the fuel tanks prior to the flight and determined the tanks contained enough fuel for the short trip. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The student pilot initiated an autorotation, and subsequently, the helicopter sustained a hard landing. The student pilot did not have an endorsement for solo flight in the helicopter. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 2002, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Gray RotorWay Exec 90 single-engine helicopter, N716JB, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a loss of engine power at the Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The student pilot, sole occupant and registered owner of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the student pilot checked the fuel tanks prior to the flight and determined that the tanks contained enough fuel for the short trip. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The student pilot initiated an autorotation, and subsequently, the helicopter landed hard. The main rotor blades were bent, the tail rotor was destroyed, and the tail boom was separated. In addition, the inspector stated that the student pilot did not have an endorsement for solo flight in the helicopter. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N716JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N716JB), registered now, S/N EXEC-3000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gray Rotorway Exec 90 - Registry model: [Gray Jim Robert EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-jim-robert-exec) (registry code 13017FT) (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: EXEC-3000 - Airframe hours: 197 - Engines: Rotorway RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim Robert Gray - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 54; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 197 total, 197 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LRU ## Other investigations on N716JB (3) 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 WPR18LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA050), Dec 17, 2017: Gray Jim Robert Exec (N716JB), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the oil pressure gauge line, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR17LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA009), Oct 19, 2016: Gray Jim Robert Exec 90 (N716JB), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly tighten the tension bolts during the installation of the alternator belt, which resulted in inadequate voltage to sustain ignition and the subsequent partial loss of… - [NTSB DEN00LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA001), Oct 1, 1999: Gray Rotorway Exec (N716JB), Gallup, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently allowing main rotor rpm to decay while avoiding obstacles during an emergency autorotation following a loss of power for reasons undetermined. Factors were houses and… 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.