# NTSB LAX85LA053: Donald W Devine Executive, N4853A, Tracy, CA, November 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1984, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729534, -121.420707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7295&lon=-121.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - run on landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER CRASHED WHILE ON AN UNAUTHORIZED SOLO FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER HE COMPLETED BUILDING THE HELICOPTER HE ACQUIRED PROFICIENCY BY OPERATING THE ENG & HOVERING ABOUT IN HIS 3 ACRE BACKYARD. HE SAID HE HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 45 MINS & GAINED MORE ALTITUDE THAN INTENDED. WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN THE SOFT GROUND RETARDED THE FORWARD MOVEMENT, THE MAIN ROTOR HIT THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER & CAUGHT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4853A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4853A-1988-09-22), registration cancelled 1988-09-22, S/N 18437316 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONALD W DEVINE EXECUTIVE
- Registry model: [Devine Don W EXECUTIVE](https://openairdocs.org/model/devine-don-w-executive) (registry code 13017CD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 18437316
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: ROTORWAY ROTORWAY EXEC 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald W. Devine
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: TRACY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19841129069269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841129069269A), Nov 29, 1984: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. On unauthorized solo flight, student made hard landing and rolled over. Ground was soft in students 3 acre backyard

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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