# NTSB MIA94LA137: Richmond Rotorway Executive, N520PR, Ormond Beach, FL, May 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 1994, 10:58 local (14:58 UTC) - Place: Ormond Beach, FL - Location: 29.2858° N, 81.0559° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ormond Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2858&lon=-81.0559&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA137 ## Probable cause THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A FENCE PRIOR TO GROUND TOUCHDOWN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - contamination - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - open - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter lost engine power and while making a autorotative forced landing in a pasture collided with a fence. Examination of the engine after the accident indicated the nos. 1 and 2 cylinder exhaust valves were being held partially open by excessive carbon build-up. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 1994, about 1058 eastern daylight time, a Richmond Rotorway Executive, N520PR, registered to Donald R. Redman, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power, in Ormond Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at Ormond Beach, Florida, minutes before the flight. A witness in the area stated she observed the helicopter flying westbound at about 500 feet and then turn around and fly eastbound toward the Ormond Beach Airport. She then heard the helicopter's engine "pop" a few times and then appear to lose power. The helicopter began to descend. The helicopter collided with a fence,flipped, and crashed to the ground. Postcrash examination of the engine by an FAA inspector indicated the spark plugs for each of four cylinders had normal combustion deposits. The nos. 1 and 2 cylinder exhaust valves had excessive carbon build up and carbon prevented the valves from closing. The nos. 1 and 2 cylinder walls were glazed and the piston rings were not creating a tight seal. (See attached inspector statement.) The pilot did not file an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report as requested by the NTSB to him and to his attorney. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520PR-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N PR5013312938MJ, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RICHMOND ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E) - Registry model: [Richmond Paul/Mary ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/richmond-paul-mary-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017DP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 2938MJ - Engines: ROTORWAY RW-152 152 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Redman, Donald R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 159 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 10 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 19940513010839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940513010839A), May 13, 1994: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Ormond Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power after takeoff. Turned around. Descended. Hit fence. Flipped. Carbon build up on valves. Cylinders glazed 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.