# NTSB LAX03LA198: Kowtun Mini 500, N919WK, Phoenix, AZ, June 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2003, 20:20 local (Jun 14, 2003, 03:20 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.688056, -112.082496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6881&lon=-112.0825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57241 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57241/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA198 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, hover - in ground effect - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The helicopter experienced a loss of directional control while hovering, collided with the ground, and rolled over. The pilot was performing a hover taxi test flight after adjusting the carburetor. The pilot said in a written report that shortly into the flight, the helicopter "started to spin to the right and would not respond to the left pedal." It then impacted the ground, rolled on its right side, and was consumed by fire. In the section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2, which asks if there was a mechanical malfunction or failure, the pilot wrote "tail rotor drive shaft failure." When contacted by a Safety Board investigator for clarification of the tail rotor issue, the pilot declined to answer any questions pertaining to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2003, about 2020 mountain standard time, an experimental Kowtun Mini 500 helicopter, N919WK, experienced a loss of directional control, collided with the ground, and rolled over at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter was destroyed. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 41.17 minutes north latitude and 112 degrees 4.17 minutes west longitude. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had just "tweaked" the carburetor and was performing a hover taxi test flight when the helicopter "started to spin to the right and would not respond to the left pedal." It then impacted the ground, rolled on its right side, and was consumed by fire. In the section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2, which asks if there was a mechanical malfunction or failure, the pilot wrote "tail rotor drive shaft failure." A Safety Board investigator contacted the pilot on July 21, 2003, to learn more about the tail rotor drive shaft issue. The pilot, however, stated that the Federal Aviation Administration was trying to revoke his license and would not answer any questions pertaining to the accident. He then referred the investigator to his lawyer. Subsequent attempts to gain further information from the pilot or his attorney were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N919WK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N919WK-2007-11-07), registration cancelled 2007-11-07, S/N 413 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kowtun Mini 500 - Registry model: [Kowtun Walter MINI 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/kowtun-walter-mini-500) (registry code 056038K) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 413 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Bombardier Mini 500A 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter Kowtun - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, June 7, 2003, 45 hours before - Departed: KDVT, Deer Valley, AZ - Airport: DVT, Phoenix Deer Valley Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 31, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 700 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KDVT, 1 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 20030613012719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030613012719A), Jun 13, 2003: Kowtun MINI500, Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed. (-23) On June 13, 2003, at approximately 2020 MST, an experimental Kowtun mini 500 helicopter, N919WK, impacted the ground and rolled over on its right side,… 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.