# NTSB FTW80DRD15: Scorpion II, N166ER, Baton Rouge, LA, January 5, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 5, 1980
- Place: Baton Rouge, LA · BATON ROUGE, LA
- Location: 30.4507° N, 91.1546° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Baton Rouge, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4507&lon=-91.1546&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80DRD15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0039   80/1/5    BATON ROUGE,LA      SCORPION II         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 39, 1084
        TIME - 1500                    N166ER              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BATON ROUGE,LA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAXI: AERIAL TAXI, OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
           ROTORCRAFT - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER CLEARANCE-TOLERANCE
        REMARKS- ENGINE RW133 TAIL ROTOR PITCH BOLTS LOOSE 3/4 INCH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N166ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N166ER-1989-06-21), registration cancelled 1989-06-21, S/N 1046 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION II
- Registry model: [Golden Herbert S SCORPION TOO-133](https://openairdocs.org/model/golden-herbert-s-scorpion-too-133) (registry code 13025W7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800105000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800105000649A), Jan 5, 1980: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Baton Rouge, LA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor pitch control bolts became loose. Lost directional control. Made hard landing due to low rotor RPM.

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.

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