# NTSB LAX90DVG17: Cloutier Scorpion 133, N4639E, Oroville, CA, July 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1990, 20:10 local (Jul 25, 1990, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Oroville, CA
- Coordinates: 39.430435, -121.549896 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4304&lon=-121.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG17

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4639E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4639E-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1983, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLOUTIER SCORPION 133 (SCORPION 1)
- Registry model: [Cloutier/Cloutier SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/cloutier-cloutier-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025ET) (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: 1246
- Airframe hours: 220
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-1 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hodges, William S.
- Registered owner: William S. Hodges
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1990, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 55 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 19900724028529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900724028529A), Jul 24, 1990: Amtrrw SCORPION*, Oroville, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed during hovering test flight of the homebuilt helicopter.

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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