# NTSB FTW97LA300: Poor Boys Toys Exec 90, N596PB, Patricia, TX, August 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1997, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Patricia, TX - Coordinates: 32.729099, -101.949905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7291&lon=-101.9499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20306/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA300 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance with the crops during a surveying flight. A factor was the pilots diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - terrain condition - crop - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The experimental amateur built helicopter was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while hovering in a field. The pilot reported that the helicopter was in a hover and he was surveying the field. He momentarily directed his attention to the instruments within the cockpit and during that time the helicopter contacted crops. The pilot stated that the helicopter experienced a 'dynamic rollover,' and came to rest on its side in the field. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1997, at 0740 central daylight time, a Poor Boys Toys, Inc. Exec 90, experimental helicopter, N596PB, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while hovering in a field near Patricia, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight from Lamesa Municipal Airport, near Lamesa, Texas, at 0700. No flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot reported during a telephone interview, conducted by a representative of the Safety Board, that he was hovering the helicopter over a cultivated field. The pilot further stated that he momentarily directed his attention to the gauges in the cockpit and during this time the skids of the helicopter became in contact with the crops. The pilot stated that the helicopter experienced a "dynamic rollover" and came to rest on its side in the field. According to the FAA inspector that traveled to the accident site, the pilot was not rated in helicopters; however, he was properly cleared by his flight instructor for the solo flight. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector revealed that both main rotor blades were bent. The tailboon section of the helicopter was severed at the attaching point to the fuselage. The windscreen was compromised. Multiple attempts to obtain a completed copy of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N596PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N596PB-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 6032, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Poor Boys Toys Inc EXEC 90 - Registry model: [Poor Boys Toys EXEC 90](https://openairdocs.org/model/poor-boys-toys-exec-90) (registry code 05603IT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6032 - Engines: Unknown UNK reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Poor Boys Toys Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 2F5, LAMESA, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,700 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MAF, 25 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 19970801021259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970801021259A), Aug 1, 1997: Patricia, TX, Substantial damage. Experimental rotocraft hovered into crops during aerial field survey and experienced dynamic rollover. (-23) while pilot was surveying crops in a hover… 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.