# NTSB FTW03LA153: Rotorway Exec 162F, N212DP, Longview, TX, May 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2003, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Longview, TX - Coordinates: 32.383888, -94.711387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3839&lon=-94.7114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA153 ## Probable cause The failure of the engine ignition system for undetermined reasons resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for an auto rotational landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, emergency landing - ignition system - failure - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The 269-hour pilot attempted to contact the air traffic control tower when the aircraft was approximately 250 feet agl. The pilot stated as he pressed the push to talk (PTT) button on the cyclic control, the "engine had a flame out." Due to obstacles in the flight path of the helicopter, the pilot was forced to turn the helicopter and "attempt a landing on a downhill slope." During the landing, the turbine powered helicopter nosed over and came to rest on its right side. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was having problems with the radio and installed a new one prior to departing. The pilot stated that after takeoff he pressed the PTT and it "caused the ignition system to go out." ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2003, at 1530 central daylight time, a Rotorway Exec 162F helicopter, N212DP, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Longview, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant 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 departed from a private residence approximately 10 minutes prior, and was destined for the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), near Longview, Texas. The 269-hour pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he climbed to an altitude of approximately 250 feet agl, and attempted to contact the air traffic control tower at GGG on the radio. The pilot stated as he pressed the push to talk (PTT) button on the cyclic control, the "engine had a flame out." He immediately entered an autorotation, and selected a landing area. Due to obstacles in the flight path of the helicopter, he was forced to turn the helicopter and "attempt a landing on a downhill slope." During the landing, the helicopter nosed over and came to rest on its right side. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was having problems with the radio and installed a new one prior to the accident flight. He stated that after takeoff he pressed the PTT and it "caused the ignition system to go out." Examination of the turbine-powered helicopter by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed both main rotor blades were damaged. The tail boom was bent, and the aft three feet of the tail boom was separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N212DP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N212DP-2003-08-12), registration cancelled 2003-08-12, S/N D2000, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotorway Exec 162F - Registry model: [Stewart John D EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/stewart-john-d-exec-162f) (registry code 05610DP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-100 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-100-series) (registry code 55001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: D2000 - Airframe hours: 202 - Engines: International Harvester Solar T-62T-3 150 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Stewart - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2002, 27 hours before - Departed: Longview, TX - Destination: GGG, LONGVIEW, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 269 total, 207 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg ## 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 20030515011299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030515011299A), May 15, 2003: Amtr EXEC162F, Hallsville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 15, 2003, approximately 1540, aircraft departed 2319 sandy lane, longview, TX to perform flight test of new radio installed. Aircraft climbed to… 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.