# NTSB FTW91LA077: Vuncannon Rotoway Exec 152, N316FV, Jonesboro, AR, May 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1991, 19:30 local (May 10, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, AR
- Coordinates: 35.819374, -90.680824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8194&lon=-90.6808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES FOR SAFE OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - rotor system - vibration (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - wire,static
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

IN HIS INITIAL REPORTS THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HE SAW WIRES IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND CLIMBED TO AVOID THEM.  IN THOSE REPORTS, HE STATED THAT HIS SKIDS CAUGHT ON THE TOP WIRE AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THE INITIAL REPORTS DID NOT CONTAIN ANY INFORMATION REGARDING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.  HOWEVER, ON HIS PILOT/OPERATOR ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE ROTOR SYSTEM AND THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WHEN HE STRUCK THE WIRES. THE WIRES WERE STRUCK, CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N316FV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316FV-1991-09-20), registration cancelled 1991-09-20, S/N VF8819 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VUNCANNON ROTOWAY EXEC 152 (ROTOWAY EX)
- Registry model: [Vuncannon Floyd Lee ROTORWAY EXEC 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/vuncannon-floyd-lee-rotorway-exec-152) (registry code 13017JD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8819
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd D. Vuncannon
- Registered owner: Floyd D. Vuncannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 23 hours before
- Departed: NONE, TRUMAN, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 682 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910509014929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910509014929A), May 9, 1991: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Jonesboro, AR, Destroyed. Struck wires en route and crashed inverted. Reported later was trying to land on road due vibration. Unverified.

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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