# NTSB FTW04CA192: Rotorway Exec, N342RD, Conroe, TX, July 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2004, 18:36 local (23:36 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.351667, -95.414443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3517&lon=-95.4144&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 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA192 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the tripped fuel pump circuit breaker which resulted in the failure of the electric fuel pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, hover - in ground effect - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (cause) - fuel system,electric boost pump - failure - fluid,fuel - starvation - Hard landing, emergency landing ## Analysis The 400-hour pilot reported that while hovering approximately 20 feet above ground level (agl) at an airspeed of 20 miles per hour (mph), the engine lost power. Subsequently, the pilot initiated an autorotational landing to the ground. Examination of helicopter revealed the circuit breaker for the electric fuel pump was found "tripped." No other anomalies were noted throughout the engine or airframe. The pilot stated that the fuel injector system would not function without positive pressure from the fuel pump to the fuel injector. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2004, approximately 1836 central daylight time, an amateur-built Rotorway Exec single-engine helicopter, N432RD, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following a loss of engine power while hover-taxiing at the Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), near Conroe, Texas. The helicopter student pilot sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the student pilot. 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. The 400-hour pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, that while hovering approximately 20 feet above ground level (agl) at an airspeed of 20 miles per hour (mph), the engine lost power. Subsequently, the pilot initiated an autorotational landing to the ground. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector revealed the tailboom was separated from the fuselage. The circuit breaker for the electric fuel pump was found in the "tripped" position. No other anomalies were noted throughout the engine or airframe. The pilot stated that the fuel injector system would not function without the positive pressure from the fuel pump to the fuel injector. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N342RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342RD-2013-09-27), registration cancelled 2013-09-27, S/N 4162, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotorway Exec - Registry model: [Smith Harold F ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-harold-f-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017LL) (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: 4162 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: Mazda UNK reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Conroe, TX - Airport: CXO, Lone Star Executive Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review March 18, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 6 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040720022899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040720022899A), Jul 20, 2004: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Conroe, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On 20 July 2004 at appx 1836 local time at the lone star executive airport (cxo) Conroe, TX 7730. An experimental home built rotorway executive… 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.