# NTSB FTW87DRA02: Hunter Executive, N9728N, Arcola, TX, April 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1987, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Arcola, TX
- Coordinates: 29.369379, -95.449066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3694&lon=-95.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - loose (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - disconnected (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING TEST FLOWN FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT. FOLLOWING A GROUND RUN UP AND GROUND TAXI, SEVERAL HOVERING FLTS WERE MADE SUCCESSFULLY. AS THE NON-HELICOPTER RATED PLT WAS HOVERING BACK TO THE PARKING AREA, HE HEARD THE BELT BEGIN SLIPPING AND THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE LEFT. APPLICATION OF RIGHT PEDAL DID NOT ARREST THE LEFT YAW AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND HARD WHILE IN A LEFT YAW WITH THE RIGHT SKID DOWN. FOLLOWING INITIAL IMPACT THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE AND WAS CONSUMED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE WHICH ALSO DESTROYED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE BELT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9728N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9728N-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 80-2946, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUNTER EXECUTIVE
- Registry model: [Hunter David ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunter-david-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017DM) (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: 802946
- Airframe hours: 18
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Hunter
- Registered owner: David Hunter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 29, 1986, 18 hours before
- Airport: AXH, Arcola/Houston, runway 10, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 18 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUB, 14 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 19870418010399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870418010399A), Apr 18, 1987: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Arcola, TX, Destroyed. The tail rotor drive shaft failed and the helicopter rolled over during taxi. Pilot not rotorcraft rated.

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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