# NTSB LAX95LA081: Rotorway Rotorway, N9876D, Chandler, AZ, January 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 1995, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.270736, -111.940902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2707&lon=-111.9409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA081 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper use of the helicopter's flight controls and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained (cause) ## Analysis WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS, THE STUDENT WAS HANDLING THE CONTROLS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER WAS TOUCHING DOWN IT BEGAN DRIFTING 'SLIGHTLY LEFT.' THE LEFT SKID DUG INTO THE UNDERLYING SOFT GRASSY FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE WIND WAS CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 1995, at 0900 mountain standard time, a Cobb International, Inc., Rotorway Exec 90, N9876D, rolled over on landing at the Stellar Airpark, Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and neither the commercial pilot nor student pilot was injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Chandler, Arizona, at 0800. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that he spoke with the flight instructor (CFI). The CFI indicated that during the normal landing approach he gave the controls to his 7-hour total time student. The student improperly applied collective and cyclic controls, the left skid dug into the soft ground, and the experimental category helicopter rolled over. There was no fire. In the CFI's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI indicated that both he and his student were on the controls at the time of the accident. The CFI further reported that the flight lesson had involved practicing "pick-up and set downs." Just before the helicopter had made ground contact, a "slight left drift began" which caused the left skid to contact and dig into the soft ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9876D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9876D-2018-07-09), registration cancelled 2018-07-09, S/N RI-5160, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotorway ROTORWAY - Registry model: [Cobb International ROTORWAY EXEC 90](https://openairdocs.org/model/cobb-international-rotorway-exec-90) (registry code 13017LC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-600N](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-600n) (registry code 55009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: SC28 - Airframe hours: 466 - Engines: ROTORWAY RW-162 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Rotorway International - Registered owner: Cobb Rotorway Exec. 90 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 1, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: P19 - Destination: P19, AZ - Airport: P19, Steller Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,402 total, 255 in this make and model, 3,328 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °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 19950113000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950113000589A), Jan 13, 1995: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Student improperly applied collective landing. Left skid dug in helicopter rolled over. ## Other investigations on N9876D (2) 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 LAX03LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA084), Feb 5, 2003: Cobb International Rotorway Exec 90 (N9876D), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the flare and landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of the secondary drive shaft and inadequate… - [NTSB LAX02LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA096), Feb 25, 2002: Rotorway Rotorway Exec 90 (N9876D), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student's inadvertent over control of the throttle mechanism, which resulted in the bending of the throttle mechanical stop and binding the linkage in the idle position. Also causal was the CFI's… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.