# NTSB LAX86FUG04: Rotorway Scorpion 133, Corona, CA, March 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1986, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&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): 24946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUG04

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, hover
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE WAS 'RUNNING UP THE ENGINE' AFTER MAKING SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THE HELICOPTER WAS TIED DOWN WHEN THE PLT LIFTED OFF TO A 5 TO 6 FT HOVER. THE HELICOPTER TIPPED TO THE RIGHT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY A FIRE ORIGINATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY SCORPION 133 (SCORPION 1)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: KIT #1557
- Engines: Rotorway 133 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Safranek
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 70 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast

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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