# NTSB LAX84LA168: Moseley/Scorpion 133, N4661U, Phoenix, AZ, February 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1984, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.509429, -112.359756 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5094&lon=-112.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA168

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE INTENDED ONLY TO GRT THE HELICOPTER 'IN A LIGHT POSITION TO CHECK FOR BALANCE AND CYCLIC POSITION. HE FURTHER STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUSED A TOTAL LIFT OFF AND HE OVER-CONTROLLED THE ACFT WHICH ROLLED ANDCRASHED SIDEWAYS IN A LATERAL SWINGING MOTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4661U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4661U-2009-08-25), registration cancelled 2009-08-25, S/N TC-10 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOSELEY/SCORPION 133
- Registry model: [Moseley Robert M SUPER SCORPION](https://openairdocs.org/model/moseley-robert-m-super-scorpion) (registry code 13025EU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: TC10
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: ROTORWAY 133 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert M. Moseley
- Airport: Moseley Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 16,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 15,800 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 25 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 19840208003749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840208003749A), Feb 8, 1984: Amtrrw SCORPION*, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Became airborne by mistake during engine runup. Lost control and rolled over. Pilot blamed a gust of wind.

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.

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