# NTSB MIA83FA065: MBB Scorpion TOO, N5459G, Tallahassee, FL, January 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1983, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.449037, -84.350318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4490&lon=-84.3503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT WAS FLYING LOW OVERTHE TREES. SEVERAL LOUD BACKFIRES WERE HEARD AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE ACFT DESCENDED ALMOST VERTICALLY WITH THE FUSELAGE IN A FLAT LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE LEFT CARBURETOR WAS FOUND SEPARATED AT THE FLOATING FLANGE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE SPARK PLUGS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF LEAN MIXTURE AND HOT COMBUSTION ASSOCIATED WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5459G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5459G-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 576-1476, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB SCORPION TOO (SCORPION T)
- Registry model: [Messer Charlie G SCORPION TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/messer-charlie-g-scorpion-too) (registry code 13025Y6) (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: 576-1476
- Airframe hours: 78
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-133 133 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charlie G. Messer
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1982, 78 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 78 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 4 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 19830129003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830129003269A), Jan 29, 1983: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Tallahassee, FL, Destroyed. Witnesses heard engine backfire prior to low flying helicopter diving into trees. Had a leaking intake manifold.

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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