# NTSB LAX86FUD01: Rotorway Executive, N2071Z, El Monte, CA, October 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1985, 10:43 local (17:43 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.080131, -118.029182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0801&lon=-118.0292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUD01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ROTORCRAFT MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN FROM A HOVER WHILE ON A PRACTICE FLT. THE PLT HAD NOT BEEN SIGNED OFF FOR SOLO FLT IN A ROTORCRAFT, HELICOPTER CATERGORY AND CLASS. THE PLT HAD PRACTICED SOLO IN THIS ACFT BEFORE BUT HAD STAYED AT VERY LOW ALT (SKID-LIGHT) ON FORMER OCCASIONS. THIS TIME HE RAISED THE HOVER TO A CLAIMED MAX OF 2 FT OFF THE RAMP. HE PRACTICED TWO HOURS AND BELIEVED THAT FATIGUE CAUSED LOSS OF CONCENTRATION FOLLOWED BY 'COMING DOWN ON THE SKID TOO HARD.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2071Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2071Z-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 2593, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE
- Registry model: [Barnes H Erik ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnes-h-erik-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017BH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW-133 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw-133-series) (registry code 55000, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2593
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-133 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Louis Lillo
- Registered owner: Dick L. Mcewen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: EMT, El Monte

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 4 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19851015056209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851015056209A), Oct 15, 1985: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. The helicopter landed hard. The pilot was not properly rated or endorsed. He claimed fatigue as a factor.

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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