# NTSB FTW85LA129: Rotorway Exec, N3071, Bethany, OK, February 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1985, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Bethany, OK
- Coordinates: 35.499305, -97.639434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4993&lon=-97.6394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA129

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, hover
  - proper altitude - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE OWNER/BUILDER HAD A SINGLE ENGINE, MULTI-ENGINE, LAND RATING, BUT DID NOT HAVE A HELICOPTER RATING. WHILE PRACTICING HOVER FLT IN HIS EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER, HE UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO REACH A HIGHER THAN NORMAL ALT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE WHILE IN A SIDE SLIP, THEN ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3071](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3071-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 3071, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotorway EXEC
- Registry model: [Bertino Louis ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bertino-louis-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017BP) (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: 3071
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry Phillips
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1984
- Airport: PWA, Wiley Post

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,103 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,079 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 8 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 19850227070519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850227070519A), Feb 27, 1985: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Bethany, OK, Substantial damage. Inadvertent altitude gain during hover practice. Landed in side slip and rolled over.

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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