# NTSB LAX88DVG01: Stoopin Scorpion, N19NS, Browns Valley, CA, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1987, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Browns Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.329887, -121.330123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3299&lon=-121.3301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LOCAL FLIGHT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED AT 300 FT WHEN A POWER LOSS APPARENTLY OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED STEEPLY INTO A WOODED AREA. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT/MANUFACTURER HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT,S ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE WITNESS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD SOUND AS THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN THE DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N19NS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STOOPIN SCORPION
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3989
- Airframe hours: 190
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-133 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicolai Walter Stoopin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: BROWNS VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: MVY

## 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 19871114064809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871114064809A), Nov 14, 1987: Amtrrw SCORPION1, Browns Valley, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit on takeoff. Attempted but failed to enter autorotation. Impacted at high rate of vertical speed.

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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