# NTSB LAX93LA083: Rotorway Executive, N43385, Chandler, AZ, December 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1992, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.31919, -111.82061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3192&lon=-111.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA083

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WHO IS ALSO THE OWNER OF THE HELICOPTER, REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT HAD LIFTED OFF AND ACHIEVED A FORWARD AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 40 KNOTS AT 10 FEET AGL WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL AND WATER TEMPERATURE INDICATORS WERE INCREASING RAPIDLY. HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND TURNED TO LAND IN THE ALFALFA FIELD USED FOR TAKEOFF AND THE COCKPIT SUDDENLY FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE LANDED THE HELICOPTER WITH SOME FORWARD MOMENTUM AND IT ROLLED OVER AFTER THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE GROUND. THE INSTRUCTOR AND HIS STUDENT ESCAPED THROUGH THE COCKPIT WINDSHIELD AS THE HELICOPTER ERUPTED INTO FLAMES, WHICH TOTALLY CONSUMED THE HELICOPTER. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE BURNED REMAINS AND REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, INCLUDING ALL HOSES AND ACCESSORY FITTINGS, WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43385](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43385-1993-05-20), registration cancelled 1993-05-20, S/N E3413 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE
- Registry model: [Sagerser J A / Occhuizzo G F ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/sagerser-j-a-occhuizzo-g-f-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017MJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: E-3413
- Airframe hours: 148
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-162 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Sagerser
- Registered owner: Sagerser & Occauizzo
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,869 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,375 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19921231052599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921231052599A), Dec 31, 1992: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Chandler, AZ, Destroyed. Engine fire on climbout. Force landed soft soil. Rolled over and burned. Beleives water pump shorted.

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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