# NTSB LAX02LA071: Richard S. Anderson Rotorway Exec 162F, N30545, Willcox, AZ, January 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 2002, 14:06 local (21:06 UTC) - Place: Willcox, AZ - Coordinates: 32.416667, -109.833335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4167&lon=-109.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54113 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54113/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54113 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for a gust condition and to maintain lateral control while hovering due to restricted cyclic control movement, which resulted from an inadequate control location/design. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate control location, owner/builder (cause) - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - movement restricted (cause) - cyclic - not available - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis While hovering in ground effect in a 10 mph wind, a 20 mph gust was encountered. The pilot attempted to maintain control by movement of the cyclic control, but the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over. In a verbal statement, the pilot asserted that when he had attempted to move the cycle control to the right to stabilize the helicopter, his right hand contacted his right thigh, which was against the installed right side collective control. He asserted that this momentarily restricted his available range of cycle movement. The helicopter then drifted left, impacted the ground, and rolled over. The pilot's flight instructor had authorized his student to fly in wind conditions not exceeding 10 mph. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 2002, about 1330 mountain standard time, a Richard S. Anderson, Rotorway Exec 162F, N30545, encountered a gust of wind while hovering in ground effect. The pilot lost control of his helicopter; it contacted the ground and rolled over. The accident occurred at a private residence about 12 miles north of Willcox, Arizona. The experimental helicopter was substantially damaged, and the student helicopter pilot received a minor injury. The solo instructional flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was initiated about 1325. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator during a February 6, 2002, interview, that he held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating. At the time of the accident, he was in training to obtain a rotorcraft rating and was practicing for his certification check ride. The pilot had about 175 hours of experience flying airplanes, and 70 hours of rotorcraft flying experience. On January 4, 2002, the pilot's flight instructor had authorized him to practice solo flying in the accident helicopter in wind conditions not exceeding 10 mph. The pilot further reported that, during the accident flight, he had been hovering in ground effect in the prevailing 10 mph wind when an estimated 20 mph wind gust was suddenly encountered from his right side. The pilot stated that when he attempted to move the cycle control to the right to stabilize the helicopter, his right hand contacted his right thigh, which was against the installed right side collective control. This momentarily restricted his available range of cycle movement. The helicopter then drifted left, impacted the ground, and rolled over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30545](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30545-2014-12-04), registration cancelled 2014-12-04, S/N 6554 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Richard S. Anderson Rotorway Exec 162F - Registry model: [Anderson Richard S ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-richard-s-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 05612I5) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6554 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Rotorway 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard S. Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Willcox, AZ - Destination: Willcox, AZ - Airport: Pvt Helipad ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 70 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: SAD, 12 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 20020127001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020127001149A), Jan 27, 2002: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Wilcox, AZ, No damage. (.19) On January 27, 2002, about 1406 hours mountain standard time, a richard s. anderson, rotorway exec 162F, N30545, encountered a gust of wind during… ## Other investigations on N30545 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX03LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA050), Dec 16, 2002: Anderson Rotorway Exec 162F (N30545), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the exhaust valve stem in the number 1 cylinder, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the landing flare and a hard landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54113. 269 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 269 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.