# NTSB IAD97LA015: Ayres Scorpion Executive, N3903C, Union Vale, NY, November 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 4, 1996, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Union Vale, NY - Coordinates: 41.730041, -73.690635 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7300&lon=-73.6906&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, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28158/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA015 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in a subsequent emergency landing and collision with a fence and a cherry picker (vehicle). A factor relating to the accident was: the student pilot's lack of experience in the type helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - fence - object - vehicle ## Analysis The student pilot (SP) was hover taxiing his helicopter. The SP said that during a subsequent climb to 300 feet, the helicopter felt 'heavy and anemic.' He also said '... the helicopter was exhibiting flight characteristics I didn't like....' The helicopter traveled past the taxiway end, and the SP decided to do a circuit in the pattern. He said when he attempted a left turn, the helicopter started to lose altitude. He also stated that flight control problems required him to performed an emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the helicopter impacted a chain link fence, and the main rotor blade struck a cherry picker (vehicular equipment). Examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact abnormalities with the engine or flight controls. The SP did not have a solo endorsement for the flight. His reported total flight experience in helicopters was 41 hours, of which, 1 hour was in this make and model of helicopter. ## Factual narrative On November 4, 1996, about 1600 eastern standard time, an Ayers Scorpion Executive helicopter, N3903C, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after an emergency descent and landing near Union Vale, New York. The student pilot (SP) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the SP said the purpose of the flight was to hover and taxi test the helicopter after it had been serviced at his repair shop to ready the helicopter for inspection and a future airworthiness certificate. He further stated: "...The test was conducted off one end of the taxiway. After entry into a hover taxi from a hover it soon became apparent that the helicopter was exhibiting flight characteristics I didn't like. Having traveled past the taxiway end, and heading towards some homes off the taxiway, I decided it would be safer to do a small circuit in the pattern and land on the runway. Experiencing flight control problems during this flight required me to make an emergency landing off the end of the runway...." In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the SP stated that the helicopter slowly climbed to 300 feet, and felt "heavy and anemic." When he turned right base the helicopter wanted to roll and pitch down to the right. When the SP attempted a left turn the helicopter started to lose altitude. During the emergency landing to a yard the helicopter impacted a chain link fence, and the main rotor blade struck a cherry picker. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA Inspector revealed no pre-impact abnormalities with the engine or flight controls. The SP did not have a solo endorsement for the flight. His reported total flight experience in helicopters was 41 hours, of which 1 hour was in the make and model of the accident helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3903C (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Ayres SCORPION EXECUTIVE (SCORPION E) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Rotorway 14S 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Chapel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 44N - Destination: 44N - Airport: 44N, Sky Acres, runway 17, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 620 total, 1 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: POU, 8 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. --- 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.