# NTSB FTW89DPJ04: Fields Rotorway Exec, N28276, Oklahoma City, OK, May 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1989, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Coordinates: 35.669384, -97.749855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6694&lon=-97.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DPJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DPJ04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE HOVER TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE NONRATED PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER, IN A HOVER TAXI, FROM SIDE TO SIDE, WHEN THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT IN THE GRASS AND DIRT. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT WOULD NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING BACKGROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28276](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28276-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 3074, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FIELDS ROTORWAY EXEC (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Fields Tryon L ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/fields-tryon-l-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017AX) (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: 3074
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-145 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Honiker, Thomas P.
- Registered owner: Diamond Tf Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1983
- Airport: OK15, Sundance Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: left

## 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 19890514011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890514011529A), May 14, 1989: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. Non rated pilot lost control of helicopter while attempting to hover. Went sideways. Skid caught grass. 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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