# NTSB LAX02LA093: Saumure Exec 162F, N162KS, Ramona, CA, February 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 2002, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.083057, -116.881668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0831&lon=-116.8817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54248 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54248/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54248 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and main rotor rpm while performing a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of translational lift, a hard landing, and rollover on downhill terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - translational lift - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - downhill ## Analysis The helicopter entered into a descent after the pilot allowed the airspeed to slow below translational lift and he failed to maintain adequate main rotor rpm; the helicopter touched down hard on sloping terrain and rolled over. The pilot's passenger had been photographing a residence while the pilot was orbiting around the site, about 100 feet above ground level. While circling, the pilot allowed the helicopter's airspeed to decrease to 30 mph and the rotor rpm decreased. At the time, the helicopter was within about 100 pounds of its maximum gross weight. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 2002, about 0920 Pacific standard time, a Saumure Exec 162F, N162KS, rolled over during a hard touchdown on sloping terrain about 4 miles north of Ramona, California. The helicopter was owned and operated by the commercial certificated pilot, and it was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger were not injured during the personal flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Ramona about 0855. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he and his passenger were orbiting a residence about 2,000 feet mean sea level. The purpose of the flight was to take pictures of the residence. While circling, they were approximately 100 feet above the terrain elevation. The pilot stated that he allowed the helicopter's airspeed to decrease to about 30 mph, and it lost effective translational lift. At the time, the helicopter was within about 100 pounds of its maximum gross weight. The pilot additionally reported that he got behind the power curve, main rotor rpm decreased, and the helicopter began descending. The pilot indicated that to attempt a recovery in the mountainous area would have uncertain results. Therefore, he thought it best to make a precautionary landing. The touchdown was hard on the downhill terrain, and during the impact the right rear landing gear tube fractured. According to the pilot, no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with his helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N162KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162KS-2003-04-08), registration cancelled 2003-04-08, S/N 6345 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Saumure Exec 162F - Registry model: [Saumure Kenneth B EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/saumure-kenneth-b-exec-162f) (registry code 05606QP) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6345 - Airframe hours: 189 - Engines: Rotorway RI-162 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth B. Saumure - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 475 total, 175 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RNM, 3 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 20020224002409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020224002409A), Feb 24, 2002: Amtr EXEC162F, Ramona, CA, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he allowed the helicopter's airspeed to decrease to about 50 knots and it lost effective translational lift. The helicopter's… ## 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=54248. 422 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389596&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.