# NTSB LAX03LA011: Rotorway 162F, N162AZ, Tucson, AZ, October 19, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 2002, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.143054, -111.172775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1431&lon=-111.1728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA011 ## Probable cause the failure of the secondary drive shaft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - rotor drive system,engine to transmission drive - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis Following a drive shaft failure, the helicopter collided with high vegetation and rolled over during an autorotation. In a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that while performing pattern and ground reference maneuvers, the helicopter experienced a mechanical malfunction. The pilot executed an autorotation and contacted high vegetation with the helicopter's right skid, resulting in the helicopter rolling to the left and impacting terrain. The pilot disposed of the helicopter in a waste dump prior to examination by FAA inspectors and the nature of the mechanical malfunction could not be determined. In a telephone interview with a Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that the secondary shaft broke in half, resulting in a loss of drive power to the helicopter's main rotor. The pilot was aware of the advisory service bulletin issued by the kit manufacturer suggesting replacement of the secondary shaft assembly, but had not complied. Beginning in May 1995, the kit manufacturer released four separate Advisory Bulletins (A-23, A-26, A-32 and A-34) addressing installation, inspection, and shaft design change issues. Citing a history of secondary shaft failures, the most recent advisory bulletin at the time of the accident, issued May 2002, recommended replacement of the standard 30 mm secondary shaft with an upgraded 35 mm shaft. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 2002, about 1150 mountain standard time, a homebuilt Rotorway 162F, N162AZ, collided with terrain during a forced landing about 5 miles south of Ryan Field Airport, Tucson, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal local flight originated about 1140 from Ryan Field. In a statement collected by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that while performing pattern and ground reference maneuvers, the helicopter experienced a mechanical malfunction. The pilot executed an autorotation and contacted high vegetation with the helicopter's right skid, resulting in the helicopter rolling to the left and impacting terrain. The pilot's disposal of the helicopter in a waste dump prior to examination prevented the FAA from performing an inspection to determine the nature of the mechanical malfunction. In a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that the secondary shaft broke in half, resulting in a loss of power to the helicopter's main rotor. The pilot was aware of the advisory service bulletin issued by the manufacturer suggesting replacement of the secondary shaft assembly, but had not complied. Beginning in May 1995, the kit manufacturer released four separate Advisory Bulletins (A-23, A-26, A-32 and A-34) addressing installation, inspection, and shaft design change issues. Concerned about shaft failures, the most recent advisory bulletin at the time of the accident, issued May 2002, recommended replacement of the standard 30 mm secondary shaft with an upgraded 35 mm shaft. After the accident, and following a secondary shaft failure accident in a Rotorway Exec 90 on February 4, 2003, the manufacturer issued a Mandatory Compliance Bulletin (M-21). The bulletin required owners of all Exec 90 and Exec 162F helicopters to comply with a periodic inspection of the secondary drive assembly at 100-hour intervals. The bulletin further mandated immediate inspection of the secondary shaft if the helicopter had previously sustained a tail rotor strike. Despite repeated attempts, the Safety Board was unable to follow-up with the pilot/owner concerning the maintenance history of the helicopter or obtain a completed NTSB 6120.1/2 form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N162AZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162AZ-2004-04-02), registration cancelled 2004-04-02, S/N 6398 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotorway 162F - Registry model: [Johnson James Walter ROTORWAY 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-james-walter-rotorway-162f) (registry code 05607WQ) (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: 6398 - Engines: Rotorway RI 162 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KRYN, Tucson, AZ - Destination: KRYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 154 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 11 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 20021019028579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021019028579A), Oct 19, 2002: Amtr ROTORWAY162F, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. (.19) On October 19, 2002, about 1150 mountain standard time, a homebuilt rotorway 162F, N162AZ, landed hard during a forced landing approximately 5 miles… 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.