# NTSB FTW93LA016: Vuncannon Rotorway R162, N437FV, Wynne, AR, October 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1992, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wynne, AR
- Coordinates: 35.229141, -90.779663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2291&lon=-90.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA016

## Probable cause

LIFT DEGRADATION ON ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SURFACE DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - foreign object (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING FROM AN OPEN FIELD WHEN A PLASTIC SACK BLEW INTO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID THE SACK HUNG ON A BLADE CAUSING IT TO LOSE LIFT. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE AIRCRAFT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N437FV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N437FV-1993-12-06), registration cancelled 1993-12-06, S/N 1214 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VUNCANNON ROTORWAY R162
- Registry model: [Vuncannon Floyd R162 ROTORWAY](https://openairdocs.org/model/vuncannon-floyd-r162-rotorway) (registry code 130018E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1214
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: ROTORWAY RI162 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vuncannon, Floyd L.
- Registered owner: Vuncannon, Floyd L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 70 hours before
- Departed: JONESBORO, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 420 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 34 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 19921017042369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921017042369A), Oct 17, 1992: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Wynne, AR, Substantial damage. Plastic sack sucked into main rotors on takeoff. Caused lift loss and unbalance. Rocked landing in mud. 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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