# NTSB FTW93FA002: Clatanoff Rotorway Exec, N41KC, Wimberley, TX, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Wimberley, TX
- Coordinates: 29.989112, -98.099166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9891&lon=-98.0992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA002

## Probable cause

THE DELAMINATION OF THE SKIN ON A MAIN ROTOR BLADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor system,main rotor blade skin - delamination (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - asymmetrical
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- Fire/explosion, other
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT IN HIS HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER WHEN AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP WAS INITIATED BY THE SKIN DELAMINATION OF ONE OF HIS MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE DYNAMIC IMBALANCE AND DIVERGENT FLAPPING OF HIS ROTOR SYSTEM CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE TAILBOOM AND PORTIONS OF THE AIRFRAME. WITNESSES REPORTED AN EXPLOSION AND INFLIGHT FIRE PRIOR TO THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE WRECKAGE WAS DISPERSED FOR 750 YARDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41KC-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 80E2912C, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLATANOFF ROTORWAY EXEC (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Clatanoff Kevin J ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/clatanoff-kevin-j-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017LR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 80E2912C
- Airframe hours: 42
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW 152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clatanoff, Kevin J.
- Registered owner: Clatanoff, Kevin J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 27, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BUDA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, commercial, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 42 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: T98, 26 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 19921002039969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002039969A), Oct 2, 1992: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Wimberley, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Main rotor blade delaminated in flight causing breakup and fire. Used rotors were installed all other parts new.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.