# NTSB FTW92DRD02: Guzzino, P.A. Rotorway Exec, Iowa, LA, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Iowa, LA
- Coordinates: 30.22941, -93.009513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2294&lon=-93.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRD02

## Probable cause

THE NON HELICOPTER RATED PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING AN ATTEMPTED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN HELICOPTERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BUILDER/PILOT OF THE HOME BUILT HELICOPTER ELECTED TO TEST FLY THE MACHINE AROUND THE LOCAL AREA. AFTER DEPARTURE, HE CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET. HE STATED THE CYCLIC STARTED TO MOVE AFT, SO HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT. AFTER APPROACHING FOR LANDING IN A RICE FIELD, HE ATTEMPTED TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER AT THREE FEET. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER THEN FLEW OFF TO THE RIGHT AND REAR. ADDITIONALLY HE STATED THAT HE APPLIED PEDAL TO TURN THE HELICOPTER 180 DEGREES AND SKID IT ONTO THE GROUND FOR LANDING. DURING THIS ATTEMPT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GUZZINO, P.A. ROTORWAY EXEC (ROTORWAY E)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 213
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Guzzino, Phillip A.
- Registered owner: Guzzino, Phillip A.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 20, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 50 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 18 nm away

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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