# NTSB LAX01LA068: Wallace Rotorway Exec 152, N94LW, Placerville, CA, January 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 1, 2001, 15:29 local (23:29 UTC) - Place: Placerville, CA - Coordinates: 38.729175, -120.800094 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7292&lon=-120.8001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 50854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50854/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA068 ## Probable cause The failure of the student pilot to maintain adequate ground clearance while hovering. ## 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 - open field - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, hover ## Analysis The student pilot finished building the helicopter and this was its first flight. He had received 11 hours of flight instruction and was endorsed for hover only solo. The pilot reported that he was 1-2 feet in the air and as he began backing the helicopter the tail rotor guard struck the ground, the main rotor struck the tail boom, and the left skid struck the ground. The skid collapsed and the helicopter rolled over. After exiting, the pilot attempted to right the helicopter, but fuel leaking from the fuel cap ignited when it contacted the exhaust. The helicopter was destroyed in the subsequent fire. ## Factual narrative On January 1, 2001, at 1529 hours Pacific standard time, a Wallace Rotorway Exec 152 amateur-built helicopter, N94LW, was destroyed when it rolled over from a hover and subsequently caught fire at a private airstrip near Placerville, California. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local solo instructional flight, which was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot stated to a deputy sheriff, who responded to the scene, that he had just finished building the helicopter and this was its "maiden voyage." He had been receiving instruction towards his private pilot certificate and was endorsed for hover only solo. He reported that he was hovering in a dirt field and as he started to back the helicopter the tail rotor guard struck the ground, the main rotor flapped down striking the tail boom, and the left skid hit the ground and collapsed. The helicopter then rolled over. After exiting the helicopter the pilot attempted to roll the helicopter upright but fuel leaking from the fuel cap ignited when it contacted the engine exhaust. The helicopter was destroyed in the subsequent fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94LW-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 71851, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wallace Rotorway EXEC 152 - Registry model: [Wallace Daniel A EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/wallace-daniel-a-exec) (registry code 05625ND) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 71851 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Rotorway RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Anthony Colbert - Registered owner: Daniel Wallace - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 61Q, Placerville, CA - Destination: Placerville, CA - Airport: Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 19, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 11 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: MHR ## 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 20010101027539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010101027539A), Jan 1, 2001: Amtr EXEC, Placerville, CA, Destroyed. (.4) On January 1, 2001, at 1529 hours pacific standard time, a wallace rotorway Exec 152 amateur-built helicopter, N94LW, was destroyed when it 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. --- 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.