# NTSB LAX91LA387: Rotorway Exec 90, N7456T, Phoenix, AZ, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 18:00 local (Sep 8, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.679534, -112.090415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6795&lon=-112.0904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA387

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS A FACTORY BUILT PROTOTYPE FOR A NEW KIT DESIGN AND THE PILOT WAS A COMPANY EMPLOYEE.  SHERIFFS DETECTIVES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN ARRESTED THE EVENING BEFORE FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT'S ROOMMATE TELEPHONED THE AIRPORT AND SAID THAT THE PILOT WAS NOT TO FLY BECAUSE HE 'WAS ON SOMETHING.'  THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AND TOOK THE HELICOPTER.  ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY OWNER, THE PILOT STOLE THE HELICOPTER.  WITNESSES AT THE LAKE REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER ARRIVED OVER THE LAKE AND BEGAN TO PERFORM A SERIES OF AEROBATIC LIKE MANEUVERS. THE HELICOPTER REPORTEDLY BUZZED SEVERAL BOATS IN THE LAKE AT A LOW LEVEL. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF MANEUVERING, THE WITNESSES SAID THE HELICOPTER SEEMED TO STOP, THEN DIVE INTO THE LAKE.  SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES REPORTED THAT TWO SUICIDE NOTES WERE FOUND IN THE PILOT'S AUTOMOBILE PARKED AT THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7456T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7456T-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N RI5001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotorway EXEC 90
- Registry model: [Cobb International ROTORWAY EXEC 90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cobb-international-rotorway-exec-90) (registry code 13017LC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5001
- Airframe hours: 136
- Engines: ROTORWAY RI-162 146 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rotorway International
- Registered owner: Cobb International, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 1, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,757 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,695 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °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 19910907038799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910907038799A), Sep 7, 1991: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stole helicopter. Buzzed boats and performed acrobatic prior diving into lake. Left suicide notes.

## Other investigations on N7456T (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX94LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA083), Dec 28, 1993: Rotorway EXEC-90 (N7456T), Scottsdale, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: A failure of the pilot-in-command to adequately conduct a preflight inspection and properly secure a fuselage cowling panel that struck a tail rotor blade, resulting in a subsequent failure of the…

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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