# NTSB LAX03LA036: Asmus Exec 162F, N162LC, Monterey, CA, November 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 2002, 14:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Monterey, CA - Coordinates: 36.599987, -121.87973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6000&lon=-121.8797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56099/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA036 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - Roll over, landing - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental helicopter executed an autorotation after a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The helicopter rolled over during the landing on a beach. The pilot stated the rollover was "probably due to tailwind and pilot technique." The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2002, about 1455 Pacific standard time, an experimental helicopter, an Asmus Rotorway Exec 162F, N162LC, rolled over on touchdown during an autorotation after a loss of engine power near Monterey, California. The pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate for helicopters, was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Marina Municipal Airport (OAR) about 1345 Pacific standard time for the local area flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot, who was the builder of the helicopter, stated the purpose of the flight was a sightseeing trip to build his flight time. The helicopter developed engine problems during cruise flight along the coastline. The pilot said the engine "failed as if someone turned off the ignition switches." The pilot initiated an autorotation from 600 feet above ground level (agl) to a beach. The helicopter rolled over during the landing. The pilot stated the rollover was "probably due to tailwind and pilot technique." The pilot reported he held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane multiengine land, a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, a flight engineer certificate for jets, and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. His total flight time was 18,000 hours, with 150 hours total time in helicopters. A post accident examination of the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) was performed at Rotorway International under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. Normal operating rpm for the engine is 4,180 to 4,250 with idle rpm at 1,700 to 1,800. After approximately 58 minutes of flight, the engine rpm went below normal operating rpm. In the last 25 seconds of flight, the engine rpm varied below operating rpm with the throttle at minimum openings. For 1 second, the engine was recorded at 1,100 rpm. There was no time thoroughout the flight that the FADEC system recorded a fault from engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N162LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162LC-2004-10-18), registration cancelled 2004-10-18, S/N 6441, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Asmus EXEC 162F - Registry model: [Timothy E Asmus EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/timothy-e-asmus-exec-162f) (registry code 05611Z1) (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: 6441 - Engines: Rotorway FADEC 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy E Asmus - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: OAR, Marina, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 48 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: WVI, 9 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 20021121032769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021121032769A), Nov 21, 2002: Amtr EXEC162F, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 21, 2002, at 1640 pacific standard time, an asmus exec 162F experimental helicopter, N162LC, rolled over during an autorotative emergency… 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.